Crystallographic and optical study of LiNb 1 −  x Ta x O 3

DOI: 10.1107/S2052520617004711

Authors: S. Huband (University of Warwick) , D. S. Keeble (University of Warwick; Diamond Light Source) , N. Zhang (Xi'an Jiaotong University) , A. M. Glazer (University of Warwick; University of Oxford) , A. Bartasyte (University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté) , P. A. Thomas (University of Warwick)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, Crystal Engineering And Materials , VOL 73 , PAGES 498 - 506

State: Published (Approved)
Published: June 2017

Abstract: Powders of lithium niobate-tantalate across the full compositional range have been made and crystals grown using a lithium vanadate flux growth technique. The Li-content of a lithium tantalate crystal has been determined using the zero-birefringence temperature and Curie measurements, confirming the Li content is between that of congruent and stoichiometric crystals. X-ray diffraction measurements show the Nb/Ta displacement and octahedral tilt both decrease as the Ta content is increased. This also results in a decrease in the lattice parameters from lithium niobate to lithium tantalate. Birefringence measurements on the crystals as a function of temperature have been used to determine the point that the crystals become zero-birefringent, and by comparison with the structural studies have confirmed that it is not related to a phase transition and the structures remain polar through the zero-birefringence points.

Journal Keywords: lithium niobate tantalate; zero birefringence; metripol

Subject Areas: Chemistry


Technical Areas:

Documents:
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