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

Nature volume 392, pages 690–693 (1998)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 28 May 1998

Abstract

A varying refractive index across a wavefront leads to a change in the direction of propagation of the wave1,2. This provides the basis for phase-contrast imaging of transparent or weakly absorbing materials with highly coherent X-ray beams3,4. 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.

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Figure 1: Schematic drawing of the experimental configuration for taking X-ray phase-contrast images.
Figure 2: High-resolution phase-contrast images of a periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 crystal taken using the symmetric Bragg 0?0?6 reflection, 2θB = 25°.
Figure 3: High-resolution diffraction patterns and diffraction-space maps.
Figure 4: Dispersion surface showing the tie points of wavefields in the symmetric Bragg case.

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Acknowledgements

Z.W.H. was on leave from the National Laboratory of Solid State Microsctructures, Nanjing University, China. Z.W.H. thanks A. R. Lang for discussions, and was supported by the UK EPSRC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

    Z. H. Hu & P. A. Thomas

  2. ESRF, BP 220, F-38043, Grenoble, France

    A. Snigirev, I. Snigireva & A Souvorov

  3. Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK

    P. G. R. Smith & G. W. Ross

  4. Daresbury Laboratory, WA4 4AD, Warrington, UK

    S. Teat

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Correspondence to P. A. Thomas.

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Hu, Z., Thomas, P., Snigirev, A. et al. Phase-mapping of periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 with coherent X-rays. Nature 392, 690–693 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/33637

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