Use of lithium niobate crystals with a regular domain structure as electrooptic switches in systems with properties similar to half- and quarter-wave switches

An investigation was made of the Raman–Nath diffraction of light in lithium niobate crystals with a regular domain structure with the aim of using such crystals in Q switches for laser resonators. The parameters of the diffraction involving a round trip of the radiation across a crystal with a regular domain structure depended on the relative position of the switch and a reflecting mirror. A crystal with a regular domain structure used as a Q switch should make it possible to construct systems comparable with half- and quarter-wave electrooptic switches in respect of the contrast and of the control voltage.