Stoichiometry effects on the nd3+ centres in linbo3:Nd3+

Abstract LiNbO3 crystals with three different stoichiometries (0,88; 0,945 and 1) in the melt were grown and doped with the same concentration of Nd3+ (0.33%). The Nd3+ centres were systematically investigated by laser spectroscopy for these three crystals. The same Nd3+ centres were obtained for all stoichiometries but its relative distribution depends on the [Li]/[Nb] ratio.