Photorefractive effect in LiNbO3 crystals enhanced by stoichiometry control

Abstract

LiNbO 3 single crystals with a composition close to stoichiometry are grown by using a double crucible Czochralski method equipped with an automatic powder supply system. The photorefractive properties are compared with those of LiNbO3 crystals grown from the congruent composition melt. Two beam coupling experiments show that both nondoped and Fe-doped stoichiometric crystals exhibit stronger photorefractive effect than the Fe-doped congruent crystals.