Vacuum annealing effects in lithium niobate

Abstract A series of undoped LiNbO3 crystals have been subjected to heat treatments in a reducing atmosphere, i.e., a vacuum. Electron spin resonance spectra of Fe3+ and Mn2+ ions, infrared absorption of OH- molecules, and optical absorption peaking near 500 nm were observed to change as a function of annealing temperature. After reduction above 700°C, subsequent optical bleaching near 77 K significantly enhanced a Nb4+ electron spin resonance spectrum.

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