Light Aided Domain Patterning and Rare Earth Emission Based Imaging of Ferroelectric Domains

Trivalent rare earth and transition metal ions in insulating materials have been the topic of extensive investigations over the years due to their application as active ions in solid-state lasers. In lithium niobate (LiNbO3) with its favorable nonlinear and electro-optical properties, Er ions and other rare earth ions have been utilized in integrated optical lasers and optical amplifiers.