Ferroelectric-Domain and Surface Nano-Engineering of a Near-Stoichiometric LiNbO3 Single Crystal
Abstract
The ferroelectric domain and surface of single crystal LiNbO3 at the microscale to nanoscale level were engineered and observed by scanning force microscopy (SFM). We used a near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystal, that had a coercive field of about one-ninth that of a conventional congruent LiNbO3 crystal, as the sample. The z-cut LiNbO3 crystals fixed on metal substrates were polished to a thickness of approximately 5 micrometers. Domain structures were patterned in the samples with SFM, where the domains were inverted by scanning with the conductive cantilever while applying appropriate voltages. We also preferentially etched the negatively polarized surfaces of the domains in the patterns in a 1:2 mixture of HF and HNO3 acid solutions. As a result, surface morphologies with patterned structures, such as mound-array, were fabricated and these engineered structures in LiNbO3 crystals could be used in the future to create additional unique (smart) templates and devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA429680
Entities
People
- K. Kitamura
- K. Terabe
- M. Nakamura
- S. Higuchi
- S. Takekawa
Organizations
- National Institute for Materials Science