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1.10.4 Lithium Niobate Structure
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Structure is similar to Al2O3 except that Al sub-lattice is substituted in an ordered manner by Li and Nb ions in the same layer unlike in alternating layer in Fe2O3.
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The parent compound LiNbO3 is ferroelectric in nature and hence, is technologically important.
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LiNbO3 also has highly anisotropic refractive index and it shows birefringence which is changeable by electric field.
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Such materials are used in electro-optic devices.
Figure 1.44 Atomic arrangement of a layer in LiNbO3 structure |
Figure 1.45 Structure on {10-10} plane in LiNbO3 |
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