Light-induced absorption and optical damage in Sc-, Mg-, and Zn-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3

Abstract

By measuring the ultraviolet-light-induced absorption in Sc-, Mg- and Zn-doped near-stoichiometric lithium niobate (LiNbO[Formula: see text], we find that the steady-state ultraviolet-light-induced absorption coefficient changes with respect to the doping concentration. There is a strong ultraviolet-light-induced absorption when doping concentration is below its photorefractive threshold and a really weak absorption when the crystal is highly doped. We also use OH[Formula: see text] infrared absorption spectra and the transmitted light spot distortion method to verify the result. Thus, we can determine if the doping level in these doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals is above or below their photorefractive threshold by measuring the ultraviolet-light-induced absorption.