Recent developments in Nd/sup 3+/:Ba/sub 2/NaNb/sub 5/O/sub 15/ nonlinear lasers: tuneability and non collinear intracavity propagation

In this paper we report on the main properties of periodically poled Nd/sup 3+/ doped BNN crystals by using micro Raman, micro luminescence and second harmonic experiments. These experiments have been used to elucidate the relationship between growth striae, ferroelectric domain distribution and Nd/sup 3+/ local concentration. We also show experimental evidence concerning the existence of a periodic modulation in the refractive index caused at domain walls.