We report the anisotropic focusing characteristics of a spherically configured region of microdomains that have been induced within a cubic-shaped crystal of Ce-doped Sr_0.61 Ba_0.39 Nb₂ O₆. The internal spherical structure focuses extraordinary polarized light, but not ordinary polarized light. The spherical region, which is easily observed via scattering, is formed as the crystal cools after a repoling cycle through the Curie temperature, with an applied field. Analytic modeling of the thermal gradients that exist within the crystal during cooling reveals a small (<1°C) temperature difference between the central and the outside regions. The similarity in shape between these temperature profiles and the observed scattering region suggests a possible mechanism for the growth of this spherical microdomained structure.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

[Optical Society of America ]

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