Dynamics of the electric field in a lithium niobate crystal during pyroelectric generation of electric discharges

The article presents a technique for experimentally studying the dynamics of the electric field during pyroelectrically induced generation of electric discharges in a lithium niobate crystal with parallel $Z$-faces, which is a Fabry–Perot resonator. Recording the intensity of the laser beam reflected from the crystal during heating and cooling cycles in an air atmosphere made it possible to detect its abrupt changes occurring over a time not exceeding 1 $\mu$s. Analysis of these changes associated with electric discharges showed that they are accompanied by a decrease in the field strength in the crystal and the surface charge, which reaches values of 4 kV/cm and 23 nC, respectively.