Abstract: | Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals were grown in air by the Czochralski technique with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios ([Li]/[Nb]=0.94, 1.05, 1.20) in melt. The defect structure and location of doped ions were analyzed by the UV‐visible absorption spectra. The optical damage resistance of Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals was investigated by the photoinduced birefringence change and the transmitted light spot distortion method. The results show that the optical damage resistance ability of Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals decreases with the increase of the [Li]/[Nb] ratio. The dependence of the optical damage resistance of Hf:Fe:LiNbO3 crystals on the defect structure is discussed in detail. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |