Structure particularities and first, second order Raman spectra of LiNbO3:Tb near the concentration threshold

Abstract

Defective structure particularities have been studied in pure non-stoichiometric (Li/Nb≠1) lithium niobate (NSLN) crystals and LiNbO3:Tb (2.24 wt%) crystal. NSLN Raman spectra contain low-intensity extra bands in the area 100-1000 cm−1 at different scattering geometries. The bands are not provided by the selection rules for LN. The bands are caused by static disorder in cation sublattice of crystals. Besides, we have established additional bands in the area 1300-2000 cm−1 of a LiNbO3:Tb (2.24 wt%) crystal Raman spectrum. The bands correspond to overtone states of crystal lattice polar fundamental modes. Second-order Raman spectrum of LiNbO3:Tb contains bands with frequencies higher than that of overtones of the highest-frequency fundamental polar modes with А1(Z) and Е(X,Y) symmetry type. The particularities are manifestation of bonded states of polar modes – bipolaritons; they convert in two entangled photons or in a bonded state – biphoton at an exit from the crystal.