Formation of nanodomain structures in lithium niobate as a result of pulsed laser irradiation
The surface nanodomain structures formed in lithium niobate single crystals as a result of pulsed irradiation of polar surfaces with UV and IR lasers have been investigated. The structures formed have been classified. The main features of the domain kinetics during one-dimensional growth at strong deviation from equilibrium have been revealed. A mechanism of polarization switching is proposed and discussed.