Ferroelectric Crystals for Photonic Applications: Including Nanoscale Fabrication and Characterization Techniques

This book deals with the latest achievements in the field of ferroelectric domain engineering and characterization at micro- and nano-scale dimensions and periods. The book collects the results obtained in the last years by world scientific leaders in the field, thus providing a valid and unique overview of the state-of-the-art and also a view to future applications of those engineered and used materials in the field of photonics. The second edition covers the major aspects of ferroelectric domain engineering and combines basic research and latest updated applications such as challenging results by introducing either new as well as extended chapters on Photonics Crystals based on Lithium Niobate and Lithium Tantalate crystals; generation, visualization and controlling of THz radiation; latest achievements on Optical Parametric Oscillators for application in precise spectroscopy. Further more recent advancements in characterization by probe scanning microscopy and optical methods with device and technological orientation. A state-of-the-art report on periodically poled processes and their characterization methods are provided on different materials (LiNbO3, KTP) furnishing update research on ferroelectric crystal by extending materials research and applications.

Pietro Ferraro, is chief research scientist of the Research Group on Diagnostic methods, interferometry and microscopy at INO-CNR. He has been Principal Investigator with Alenia Aeronautics (1989-1993). He published more than 90 papers in Archival Journals, 3 book chapters and has 10 patents and presented more than 150 papers at International Conferences, being invited speaker several times. He was Guest Editor of 5 special issues on international journals and is member of the Editorial Board of the Optics and Lasers in Engineering (Elsevier). He chaired two international conferences and served as member of scientific committee in many
conferences. Among his current scientific interests are: holography, interferometry, microscopy, fabrication of nanostructures, ferroelectric crystals, optical fiber sensors. Simonetta Grilli got her PhD at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and she is currently a research scientist at the INO-CNR (Italy). She has been invited as plenary speaker at the Photonics Europe SPIE Conference. She has published more than 20 papers in International Journals and she has had two patents awarded. Her currents research interests include: nanoscale domain engineering and surface structuring in ferroelectric crystals; interferometric analysis of ferroelectric properties; digital holography microscopy; super-resolution; tunable photonic devices. Paolo De Natale is research director at INOA and, since 2001, he has been directing the INO section in Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy. He has authored more than 120 papers, published in peer-reviewed international journals and books, is co-inventor in 3 patents and has given invited and plenary lectures in many International Conferences. His present research interests include: nonlinear optics, laser physics, atomic and molecular high precision spectroscopy, nonlinear interactions in ferroelectric crystals, frequency metrology, micron and nano engineering of ferroelectric crystals,environmental monitoring with optical devices, optical sensors and diagnostics, physics of non-linear optical crystals, development of infrared coherent sources.