Domain splitting in lithium niobate with surface dielectric layer

Abstract

We present the results of approaching domain walls merging in lithium niobate single crystals with artificial surface dielectric layer produced by proton exchange. It was shown that existence of dielectric layer led to formation of quasi-regular chain of residual rounded domains near Z + polar surface. The residual comb-like domain was formed near Z-polar surface. The tilt angle of charged domain wall was 5°. The formation of chain of isolated rounded domains was attributed to splitting instability of residual stripe domain. The formation of comb-like domain was related to the cyclic formation and termination of growing dents.