Compact lensless Fizeau holographic interferometry for imaging domain patterns in ferroelectric single crystals

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Crystallography

Background:

• Domain patterns in ferroelectric single crystals are crucial for both theoretical studies and technological applications.
• Existing methods for imaging these patterns may have limitations in field-of-view or spatial resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact, lensless method for imaging ferroelectric domain patterns.
• To achieve high spatial resolution and a large field-of-view simultaneously.
• To enhance measurement sensitivity using a double-pass approach.

Main Methods:

• A digital holographic Fizeau interferometer was designed and constructed.
• The interferometer employs an electro-optic phenomenon to visualize domain patterns.
• A double-pass configuration was used to increase measurement sensitivity.

Main Results:

• The developed method successfully imaged domain patterns in periodically poled lithium niobate.
• The technique demonstrated the ability to measure refractive index differences in antiparallel ferroelectric domains under an electric field.
• The lateral resolution of the ferroelectric domain imaging method was investigated.

Conclusions:

• The lensless digital holographic Fizeau interferometer offers a promising approach for high-resolution, large-field-of-view imaging of ferroelectric domain patterns.
• The method's sensitivity is enhanced by the double-pass configuration.
• This technique provides a valuable tool for characterizing ferroelectric materials and their electro-optic properties.