2ND-HARMONIC GENERATION FROM NEEDLE-LIKE FERROELECTRIC DOMAINS IN SR0.6BA0.4ND2O6 SINGLE-CRYSTALS

Since Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 (SBN) is ferroelectric with a tungsten-bronze st ructure, numerous needlelike ferroelectric domains appear in a SBN sin gle crystal when it is cooled through its transition temperature in th e absence of a poling field. If the domains were illuminated by 1.06 m u m radiation from a Nd:YAG laser, second-harmonic diffuse light was g enerated from these domains. This interesting effect, which can clearl y be seen with the naked eye, will be used to generate all the primary colors using suitable lasers. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.