The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Phase-mapping of periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 with coherent X-rays

Phase-mapping of periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 with coherent X-rays
Phase-mapping of periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 with coherent X-rays
A varying refractive index across a wavefront leads to a change in the direction of propagation of the wave. This provides the basis for phase-contrast imaging of transparent or weakly absorbing materials with highly coherent X-ray beams. Lattice distortions can also change the direction of propagation of a wave field diffracted from a crystal. Here we report the use of this principle to effect phase-contrast imaging of the domain structure of a ferroelectric material, lithium niobate. A periodically domain-inverted structure for quasi-phase-matching of second-harmonic generation is created in this material, in which the direction of spontaneous polarization is sequentially inverted. Because of complex interactions during domain-inversion processing, this is accompanied by lattice distortions across the domain walls. These distortions split the diffracted wavefront of a beam of coherent X-rays from an advanced synchrotron source, giving rise to a pattern of interference that reflects the underlying pattern of lattice distortions. These results show that this phase-contrast imaging technique with sub-micrometre spatial resolution permits the non-destructive, highly sensitive phase-mapping of various structural defects and distortions introduced into materials during processing.
0028-0836
690-693
Hu, Z.W.
61b9c7ba-82f5-46e7-b841-bbcd7f9b5aac
Thomas, P.A.
63105350-ea12-4690-8184-e9da00a6fb28
Snigirev, A.
9ab65de8-19bd-409f-8b9d-ea19f7132627
Snigireva, I.
b0959867-b831-4be1-ba6a-6a3eddcc14a5
Souvorov, A.
2a4a1d0c-7cbd-4873-a680-d33d258214b9
Smith, P.G.R.
8979668a-8b7a-4838-9a74-1a7cfc6665f6
Ross, G.W.
e881119e-2126-442e-a24d-506dac48a4a4
Teat, S.
5b7672e9-dc09-46fa-a7d1-49b47eabc7f8
Hu, Z.W.
61b9c7ba-82f5-46e7-b841-bbcd7f9b5aac
Thomas, P.A.
63105350-ea12-4690-8184-e9da00a6fb28
Snigirev, A.
9ab65de8-19bd-409f-8b9d-ea19f7132627
Snigireva, I.
b0959867-b831-4be1-ba6a-6a3eddcc14a5
Souvorov, A.
2a4a1d0c-7cbd-4873-a680-d33d258214b9
Smith, P.G.R.
8979668a-8b7a-4838-9a74-1a7cfc6665f6
Ross, G.W.
e881119e-2126-442e-a24d-506dac48a4a4
Teat, S.
5b7672e9-dc09-46fa-a7d1-49b47eabc7f8

Hu, Z.W., Thomas, P.A., Snigirev, A., Snigireva, I., Souvorov, A., Smith, P.G.R., Ross, G.W. and Teat, S. (1998) Phase-mapping of periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 with coherent X-rays. Nature, 392, 690-693. (doi:10.1038/33637).

Record type: Article

Abstract

A varying refractive index across a wavefront leads to a change in the direction of propagation of the wave. This provides the basis for phase-contrast imaging of transparent or weakly absorbing materials with highly coherent X-ray beams. Lattice distortions can also change the direction of propagation of a wave field diffracted from a crystal. Here we report the use of this principle to effect phase-contrast imaging of the domain structure of a ferroelectric material, lithium niobate. A periodically domain-inverted structure for quasi-phase-matching of second-harmonic generation is created in this material, in which the direction of spontaneous polarization is sequentially inverted. Because of complex interactions during domain-inversion processing, this is accompanied by lattice distortions across the domain walls. These distortions split the diffracted wavefront of a beam of coherent X-rays from an advanced synchrotron source, giving rise to a pattern of interference that reflects the underlying pattern of lattice distortions. These results show that this phase-contrast imaging technique with sub-micrometre spatial resolution permits the non-destructive, highly sensitive phase-mapping of various structural defects and distortions introduced into materials during processing.

Text
1902 - Version of Record
Restricted to Repository staff only
Request a copy

More information

Published date: 16 April 1998

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 77784
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/77784
ISSN: 0028-0836
PURE UUID: fb4883d1-dafe-4df7-881a-ae651e3273f3
ORCID for P.G.R. Smith: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0319-718X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:38

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Z.W. Hu
Author: P.A. Thomas
Author: A. Snigirev
Author: I. Snigireva
Author: A. Souvorov
Author: P.G.R. Smith ORCID iD
Author: G.W. Ross
Author: S. Teat

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×