Growth, structure, physical and chemical characteristics in a series of LiNbO3:Er crystals of different composition grown in one technological cycle

• Published in: Optics and laser technology 2022-03, Vol.147, p.107671, Article 107671
• Main Authors: Palatnikov, M.N., Kadetova, A.V., Aleshina, L.A., Sidorova, O.V., Sidorov, N.V., Biryukova, I.V., Makarova, O.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Concentration threshold; Crystal growth; Crystal structure; Doping; Erbium; Lithium niobate; Lithium niobates; Polycrystals; Structure characteristics
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2021.107671

•A growth of LiNbO3:Er ([Er] = 0.08–2.71 wt%) crystal series is described.•Concentration dependences of structure characteristics are studied.•Growth domain micro- and nanostructures are studied.•A concentration threshold is discovered near [Er] ≈ 2.4–2.5 wt% in LiNbO3:Er system.•Threshold manifests through changes in structure characteristics and domain structure. A series of LiNbO3:Er ([Er] = 0.08–2.71 wt%) crystals were grown due to one technology in a single technological cycle. A near-stoichiometric lithium niobate (NSLN) was grown as a control. Concentration dependences of LiNbO3:Er and NSLN crystals structure characteristics were studied. A full-profile analysis of polycrystals X-ray patterns was used to analyze models of LiNbO3:Er atom structure. Structure characteristics of LiNbO3:Er crystals are compares with that of NSLN crystal. Optical and atomic-force microscopy were used to study growth irregular and regular domain microstructures and periodic nano-structures in as-grown LiNbO3:Er crystals.