Study of ferroelectric domain switching by domain wall induced light scattering

Abstract

The 90°-light scattering on domain walls was probed in various strontium barium niobate ͑SBN͒ crystals for studies of the ferroelectric switching under pulsed fields. The validity of this optical method is proved by a good agreement of the switching parameters deduced from optical scattering data with those obtained with electric methods. Scanning of the scattering over the crystal bulk revealed local specialities of the switching, particularly, a marked distribution of the domain wall density D along the polar axis with a maximum close to the negative electrode. In compliance with these in situ observations, the electro-optic coefficient r c reveals a position dependence in all SBN crystals poled in the ferroelectric phase, r c decreasing from the positive to negative electrode. This regularity is interpreted in terms of the domain density distribution D͑z͒ and accounted for by an asymmetry of the domain nucleation.

Diffuse second harmonic generation under the ferroelectric switching in Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 crystals

“…15 The dependencies I SHG ͑E͒ are controlled by the duration of the field pulses which is exemplified by Fig. Actually, they are close to E c determined in this crystal by the traditional methods.…”

Strontium Barium Niobate as a Multifunctional Two‐Dimensional Nonlinear “Photonic Glass”

“…Previous studies, have shown how the ferroelectric domain structure in as-grown SBN crystals, plays a fundamental role on the scattering of radiation emerging in the plane perpendicular to the c axis. [17,[21][22][23] This scattering has been related to the ferroelectric domain structure, in particular to inhomogeneities of the refractive index at the domain walls. The diffuse nature of radiation detected in the plane perpendicular to the c axis has been reported for the fundamental beam as well as for second order generated radiation.…”

“…In fact, the scattering of fundamental radiation has been probed in various SBN crystals for studies of the ferroelectric switching. [23] The domain wall induced light scattering has been also associated with the diffuse nature of the planar SH radiation observed in intra or extra cavity frequency conversion processes. [24] However, no experimental confirmation supporting the later fact has been reported up to now.…”

Fabrication of Transparent Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 Based Ceramics by Conventional Sintering

“…Possible mechanisms that increased the optical transmission by La‐doping were associated with changes in microstructure and/or domain structure . To determine which factor was more important, the microstructures were initially studied.…”