Anomalous electro-optic effect in Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 single crystals and its application in two-dimensional laser scanning

We report an anomalous electro-optic effect that results in laser scanning along the polarization direction of strontium barium niobate (Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6, or SBN:60) single crystals under external fields. The origin of such unusual phenomenon is believed to arise from inhomogeneous index gradients near the crystal surfaces, possibly arising from space-charge fields. Based on this effect, two-dimensional scanning is demonstrated by using a combination of SBN:60 single crystal (for vertical scanning; full scan angle of 0.79°±0.07°) and lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) (for horizontal scanning; full scan angle of 3.68°±0.14°).

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