Domain structures and etching morphologies of lithium niobate crystals with different Li contents grown by TSSG and double crucible Czochralski method

Stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystals with different Li contents have been grown both by the top‐seeded solution growth (TSSG) method from potassium containing flux and by the double crucible Czochralski (DC Cz) method. Spectroscopic properties (e.g. the UV absorption edge, Raman linewidth) and the Curie temperature measurement have been used for the characterization of the crystal composition. The double crucible Czochralski method is found to be suitable for mass production of stoichiometric LiNbO₃ with Li content larger than 49.7 mol% and homogeneity of 0.03 mol%. The domain structures and etching morphologies on negative and positive c‐surface were also investigated by chemical etching method. A new domain structure of three‐fold symmetric sectors were observed in near‐stoichiometric LiNbO₃ grown by TSSG method. The straight line arrangement hillocks on negative c‐surface and the net‐like arrangement etch lines were observed and explained by stress etching mechanism. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)