Electo-Optic Effects and Domain Reversal in Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6

Abstract

We present the results of a comprehensive electro-optic (EO) study of Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6 at λ = 633 nm. The experiments are conducted in the transverse field configuration, hence the effective linear EO coefficient rc is measured. Uniformly poled samples yield rc = 230 ± 20 pm/V at 25°C and rc = 1600 ± 150 pm/V at 65°C. However, the EO behavior is found to substantially degrade when attempting domain reversal. Imaging a crystal through crossed polarizers during the reversal process shows a very non-uniform birefringence distribution in the vicinity of the original -c electrode face.