Growth, Optical and Switching Characteristics of Ferroelectric Pure and Mn Doped Near SLN Crystals

Pure and Mn doped single domain near stoichiometric lithium niobate crystals have been grown by top seeded solution growth from 55 mol% Li solution. A uniform segregation of Mn throughout the crystal was obtained. Doping concentration decreases the Curie temperature while the absorption edge shift towards the longer wavelength region. Two color holographic recording was examined in Mn doped samples. Improved sensitivity, dynamic range and lifetime of the hologram for the doped crystal have been determined. The effect of Mn doping on the switching properties has been analyzed.