Growth Optimization and Optical Characteristics of Fe Doped LiNbO₃ Crystals

Abstract

Fe doped lithium niobate, LiNbO3 (LN), crystals were grown successfully by the Czochralski technique. Growth parameters were optimized to get a constant diameter crystal without using the automatic diameter control (ADC) system. A broad absorption band centered at 488 nm has been observed in the absorption studies due to 2eg and 2t2g transition. The significant red shift in UV absorption edges indicates a decrease in the Li/Nb ratio in the Fe doped LiNbO3 crystals. Energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX) shows that the crystal is doped successfully with the desired Fe concentration. Birefringence interferometry was used for quantitative assessment of the optical quality of the grown crystal.