Influence of the Domain Structure of LaBGeO5 Polar Crystals on Their Gyrotropic Properties

The spectra of transmisson coefficients and absorption indices of single-domain and multidomain LaBGeO₅ samples have been measured. It is shown that, to measure more exactly the optical rotation ρ, it is necessary to use the spectra of transmission coefficients not only for the cases of parallel and crossed polarizers but also at other angles between them. The obtained ρ values for both samples are described quite well by only dispersion using the Drude formula. This is in agreement with the fact that the ρ value should not change during transition to the single-domain state of the crystal at a given symmetry (P3₁ in the ferroelectric phase and P3₁21 in the paraelectric phase). It is shown that the Cherenkov-type second harmonic generation (SHG) is observed only in a polydomain sample, while the second-harmonic radiation is not polarized. The domain structure of the samples was observed by scanning electron microscopy and piezoelectric force microscopy. The presence of a labyrinth-like domain structure was shown for the multidomain sample, whereas for a single-domain sample no changes in contrast were observed within the scanned region.