A novel method for laser-induced periodic domain reversal in LiNbO/sub 3/ [nonlinear optical waveguide]

An intense laser light in conjunction with a strong localized field is used to reverse the polarity of the ferroelectric domain at the location of a laser beam. The focus beam from an argon laser raises the temperature of a moving z-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ plate close to the Curie point when a bipolar square wave electric field is applied. This technique has been used to construct a nonlinear periodic optical waveguide structure. This waveguide can be used for quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation. The applications of such waveguides are well documented in the literature.