Discrete Switching by Growth of Nano-Scale Domain Rays Under Highly-Nonequilibrium Conditions in Lithium Niobate Single Crystals

Abstract

The formation of nano-domain structure as a result of pulsed laser irradiation of lithium niobate single crystals has been studied experimentally applying optical and atomic force microscopy for visualization of nano-domain patterns. The observed growth of oriented nano-domain rays was considered as a manifestation of polarization reversal in highly nonequilibrium switching conditions. The results of computer simulation of nano-domain kinetics under the action of pyroelectric field during cooling after pulsed heating were used for explanation of the studied peculiarities of nano-domain kinetics. The screening effect retardation was taken into account. The main predictions of the simulations were confirmed experimentally.