A method of poling LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 below T c

Abstract

A method of poling LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 significantly below their Curie temperatures is proposed and results are presented. The technique involves excitation of the crystal lattice by an energetic beam of electrons while applying an electron field along the c axis. The lowest temperatures and fields successfully used so far are 600°C with 10 V cm -1 for LiNbO3 and 400°C with 900 V cm -1 for LiTaO3. These do not necessarily define lower limits for the process.