Effects of swift argon-ion irradiation on the proton-exchanged LiNbO₃ crystal

A proton-exchanged LiNbO₃ crystal was subjected to 70-MeV argon-ion irradiation. The lattice damage was investigated by the Rutherford backscattering and channeling technique. It was found that the lattice disorder induced by the proton exchange process was partially recovered and the proton-exchanged layer was broadened. It indicated that the lithium ions underneath the initial proton-exchanged layer migrated to the surface during the swift argon-ion irradiation and supplemented the lack of lithium ions in the initial proton-exchanged layer. This effect was ascribed to the great electronic energy deposition and relaxation. The swift argon-ion irradiation induced an increase in extraordinary refractive index and formed another waveguide structure beneath the proton-exchanged waveguide.