Optical formation of channel waveguides and planar diffraction gratings within photorefractive surface layer of lithium niobate

The optical induction of waveguide and diffraction elements in lithium niobate samples with surface doping by photorefractive impurities is experimentally investigated in the research. The spatial distribution of refractive index inhomogeneities in the exposed areas of crystal wafer surface has been visualized using the light diffraction method. Channel waveguide elements are formed by point-by-point exposure of sample’s surface method. And the one-dimensional diffraction gratings are created by the sample surface exposure with laser radiation through the amplitude mask.