The Possibility of Planar Periodic Domain Structures Engineering on the Y-Cut Surfaces of LiTaO₃ Crystals by E-Beam Point Writing

Abstract

Micro and nano-scale domain structures were revealed in the surface layer of the Y-cuts in congruent LiTaO ₃ crystals by point electron beam drawing in a scanning electron microscope. The various periodic domain structures were formed by point e-beam irradiation with different distances between the points along the X and Z directions in the Y-cuts. The dependence of domain continuity on the e-beam jump direction at the drawing was observed. Peculiarities of the switching of spontaneous electric polarization on the Y-cuts were investigated at different point doses and the point arrangements during electron beam drawing.

Keywords:

• Lithium tantalate
• Y-cut polarization reversal
• electron beam drawing
• planar periodic domain structures

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant 06-02-16104).