Fabrication and formation mechanism of p-type lithium niobate crystals by molybdenum doping and polarization

Abstract

The lack of p-type lithium niobate limits it serving as a active material. Choosing suitable dopants or precise control of defects are effective methods to farbricate p-type materials. A series of molybdenum doped lithium niobate crystals and pure congruent lithium niobate crystals were grown under different polarization conditions. Their dominant carrier species were characterized by optical methods. The results showed dominant charge carrier species may be changed from electrons to holes when lithium niobate crystal was doped with molybdenum and polarized under the current of 70 mA for 30 min. The same polarization condition failed in changing the dominant carriers to holes in pure congruent lithium niobate crystals. The experimental results indicated that p-type lithium niobate crystal could be fabricated by molybdenum-doping and suitably controlling the polarization condition. Molybdenum doped lithium niobate crystals can be a promising candidate for active components.