Light-mediated ferroelectric domain engineering and micro-structuring of lithium niobate crystals

An overview is presented of recently developed light-mediated methods for ferroelectric domain engineering of lithium niobate single crystals. These methods include light-assisted poling, UV laser-induced inhibition of poling, and all-optical poling. In addition to the primary application of ferroelectric domain patterns, namely the realization of non-linear optical devices, the ability of transferring a domain pattern into a topographical structure by domain selective etching allows also for surface structuring of lithium niobate. This intertwining between ferroelectric domain patterns and surface topography has been used to fabricate exquisite micro-structures based on unusual domains generated purposefully by these light-mediated methods.