Pyroelectric effect in green light-assisted domain reversal of Mg-doped LiNbO3 crystals.

Shoujun Zheng, Yongfa Kong, Hongde Liu, Shaolin Chen, Ling Zhang, Shiguo Liu, Jingjun Xu

Index: Opt. Express 20(27) , 29131-6, (2012)

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Abstract

We developed a real-time imaging system to probe the light-assisted domain reversal process of Mg-doped LiNbO(3). An interesting phenomenon was observed where the domain appeared to reverse just after the laser was obscured. An exclusive electric field of about 350 V/mm was measured at 532 nm of light irradiation at an intensity of 6.6 × 10(4) W/cm(2). The exclusive electric field was considered to be produced by a pyroelectric effect owing to a temperature change in the region of irradiation. The temperature change in the light-irradiated region was calculated to be about 2.3°C. Our experimental results indicate that a change of the electric field caused by the pyroelectric effect may play a significant role when LiNbO(3) or other ferroelectric crystals are used under strong light.