A Comparative Study of the Structure and Chemical Homogeneity of LiNbO3:Mg(~5.3 mol %) Crystals Grown from Charges of Different Origins

Abstract

Abstract—LiNbO₃:Mg(~5.3 mol %) crystals grown from directly and homogeneously doped charges have been studied using a number of characterization techniques. Both crystals offer high chemical homogeneity, with an even Mg distribution over the boule. At the same time, the estimated effective distribution coefficient is larger in the homogeneously doped LiNbO₃:Mg crystal. Moreover, the homogeneously doped crystal has a more ordered system of hydrogen bonds. Our results suggest that the distinctions between the fine structural features and chemical homogeneity of the crystals can be due to the effect of organic inclusions with rigid covalent bonds on the structure and physical characteristics of the growth charge prepared using a homogeneously doped Nb₂O₅:Mg precursor.