Charge transport in highly iron-doped oxidized lithium niobate single crystals

The photorefractive properties of highly iron-doped lithium niobate crystals in as-grown and completely oxidized states are investigated. Iron concentrations range from 0.5 to 3 wt. %. Measurements of light-induced refractive-index changes, two-beam coupling gain, bulk-photovoltaic current densities, and conductivities are performed with visible light. Absorption spectra and the bulk photovoltaic currents are used to determine the Fe²⁺ concentration. The dark conductivity confirms the tunneling model for charge-carrier migration. Beam-coupling experiments as well as photocurrent measurements with highly oxidized samples indicate that the one-center model is valid in such highly doped crystals, but that hole conductivity dominates the charge transport. PACS 72.20.Jv; 72.40.+w; 81.40.Tv