High Resolution XRD Studies on Mg, Cr and Nd Doped LiNbO3 Crystals

Abstract

Undoped and doped LiNbO3 single crystals were grown by Czochralski technique. Comparative studies on these undoped, Cr doped, Mg doped, Mg:Cr codoped and Mg:Nd codoped LiNbO3 single crystals were carried out. Phase identification was done using powder XRD technique. The effect of doping and co-doping on crystalline perfection of these crystals was monitored using high resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) technique. The diffraction curves (DCs) were recorded in symmetrical Bragg geometry for (006) diffracting planes using MoK 1 radiation. tant is co-doping with Mg or Zn at a level above 4.5 mol%, which inhibits photorefractive properties of the material. Another potential application of LiNbO3 is in Nd 3+ based compact diode-pumped self-frequency doubled lasers that emit green radiation, useful for applications in optical data storage, and excitation sources to replace ion gas lasers and pumping of parametric oscillators and amplifiers (10). The