Formation of self-organized nanodomain structures in lithium niobate after pulsed infrared laser heating

The formation of nanodomain structures in single crystals of congruent lithium niobate during cooling after pulsed infrared laser heating was studied. In situ visualization of the evolution of the domain structure allowed us to reveal the appearance of isolated domains at the edges of the irradiated zone and subsequent growth of the domain rays toward its center. The obtained results attract essential interest for creation of the periodic domain structure.