Optical properties of lithium niobate single crystals

Studies of thermal and γ-irradiation effects on the optical properties in congruous lithium niobate single crystals containing Y, Mg, Gd, B, and Zn dopants including samples with double dopants Y, Mg and Gd, Mg are reported. Formation of defects at irradiation and thermal treatment of the samples is explored by electron absorption spectra. Considerable increase of absorption with the dose of γ-radiation is observed at 500 nm. The changes of absorption examined under different conditions are explained by creation and destruction of Nb 4 + defects.