Er $ \mathsf {^{3+}}$ -Li $ \mathsf {^+}$ ion exchange in lithium niobate crystals: an EXAFS study

Lithium niobate crystals doped with erbium by the ion exchange process were studied by means of extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The study of the local atomic order allowed the determination of the erbium environment in the crystal matrix and the investigation on the role of preparation conditions.