Sub-micron domain engineering in lithium niobate by laser light irradiation of patterned chromium

We report the generation of sub-micron domains in lithium niobate crystals by irradiating a patterned chromium layer with focused laser light. The generated surface domain pattern follows the Cr pattern, which was predefined by photolithography or electron beam lithography and a lift-off process. A 2D surface domain pattern with a period of 600 nm has been realized.