Spatial visualization of domains in lithium niobate crystals

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Abstract
Visualization of 180°-domains in LiNbO3 by means of conventional polarizing microscope based on electrooptical phenomena is described. It is shown that the best results are given by visualization via pyroelectrooptical effect, when internal fields revealing the domain walls are created due to violation of the polarization and compensation of pyroeffect by screening charge. Morphological description and classification of various domain are presented. The relation between domain structure and crystal imperfections was studied. It has been proved that in LiNbO3 180°-domains are both free and pinned on macrodefects.