Formation of the maze domain structures in lithium niobate as a result of multiple pulse irradiation by infrared laser

The formation of the maze domain structures in the plates of congruent lithium niobate single crystal caused by multiple irradiation of infrared pulsed laser at different plate temperatures was studied. Four stages of domain evolution with increasing pulse number were distinguished. The dependence of the formed self-organizing domain structures on pulse number and sample temperature was revealed. Suppression of the domain formation at the elevated temperatures was attributed to increasing ionic conductivity, which led to decreasing the switching field. (paper)