Growth of large diameter lithium niobate single crystals by czochralski method

TLDR: In this article, a computer controlled crystal puller equipped with R.F. heating has been used to pull these crystals from melt, and the growth parameter to develop crack free, good optical quality crystals have been optimized and discussed in detail.

Abstract: An attractive combination of piezoelectric and optical properties has made lithium niobate one of the most extensively studied materials. Nowadays, application of these crystals in various fields such as acoustic wave propagation, electro-optic light modulation, optical second harmonic generation and parametric oscillation demands the bulk single crystal production. Solid State Physics Laboratory has grown large diameter (2 inch) lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single crystals successfully. Colourless, transparent, good optical quality crystals weighing up to 1.3 kg have been grown by Czochralski method. A computer controlled crystal puller equipped with R.F. heating has been used to pull these crystals from melt. An after heater wound with Kanthal A1 wire has been used. The growth parameter to develop crack free, good optical quality crystals have been optimized and will be discussed in detail. Grown crystals were sliced into 1 mm thick wafer and polished. Grown crystal surfaces were observed through o...