Ferroelectricity, conductivity, domain structure and poling conditions of rubidium titanyl phosphate

This paper reports the conductive and ferroelectric properties of RTP cryst als that are important for the fabrication of quasi-phase-matched RTP devic es. The frequency dependence of the conductivity is shown to be represented by a Debye-function in the lower frequency range (<10 kHz) and to obey a p ower law in the high frequency range. The spontaneous polarization and coer cive held are found to be 0.198 +/- 0.005 C m(-2) and 2.65 +/- 0.2 kV mm(-1 ), respectively, by measuring the switching current of RTP under domain rev ersal. Ferroelectric hysteresis loops are obtained in which the effects of a previously unreported dependence of the ac conductivity on the amplitude of the applied electric held are clearly visible. The domain structure of a s-grown crystals and the change in the domain structure under a square wave form of 3 kV mm(-1) are revealed through the use of optimized etching condi tions.