Abstract

We present the results of a comprehensive electro-optic (EO) study of Sr_0.61Ba_0.39Nb₂O₆ at λ = 633 nm. The experiments are conducted in the transverse field configuration, hence the effective linear EO coefficient r_c is measured. Uniformly poled samples yield r_c = 230 ± 20 pm/V at 25°C and r_c = 1600 ± 150 pm/V at 65°C. However, the EO behavior is found to substantially degrade when attempting domain reversal. Imaging a crystal through crossed polarizers during the reversal process shows a very non-uniform birefringence distribution in the vicinity of the original -c electrode face.

© 1991 Optical Society of America