Nonlinear Crystals

Due to the high damage threshold, wide transparency rage lithium triborate (LBO) is mostly used for second harmonic generation (SHG) a.k.a. frequency doubling and third harmonic generation (THG). But it's possible to use for Fourth harmonic generation with higher power than BBO. Crystals can be heated up for protection or performance ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: LBO (Lithium Triborate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I, Type II, Not Applicable
Mounting: Mounted, Unmounted
Width: 2-20 mm
Height: 2-12 mm
...
Data Sheet
BiB3O6 (BIBO) crystal is a promising nonlinear laser crystal, as it enables efficient generation of green or blue laser through second harmonic generation. BIBO has a wide transparency range spanning from 286nm to 2500nm (Fig: 1), along with a high damage threshold, large nonlinear coefficient (3.5 - 4 times higher than that of LBO ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: BIBO (BiB3O6)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 6 mm
Height: 6 mm
...
Data Sheet
LBO (LiB3O5) is an ideal material for high-power laser frequency multipliers due to its high damage threshold, expansive acceptance angle, excellent thermal stability, and broad light transmission range. It boasts a transmittance range of 160-2600 nm. For Class-I non-critical phase matching, the band range is 1000-1300 nm under ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: LBO (Lithium Triborate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting:
Width: 3 mm
Height: 15 mm
...
Data Sheet
Chinese brand BBO crystals manufactured in CRYSMIT OPTICS. As a expert in nonlinear crystals, CRYSMIT offers high-quality BBO crystals at a competitive price. Maximum processing size 20x20x10 mm3 for BBO coated crystals. Ultrathin BBO (Thinnest 5um) crystals for Femtosecond Lasers.  A large quantity of BBO crystals in ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: BBO (Beta Barium Borate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 10 mm
Height: 10 mm
...
Data Sheet
The Birefringent Crystals for Optical Applications are high-quality crystals designed for various optical devices and applications. Made from YVO4, LiNbO3, and α-BBO materials, these crystals offer excellent birefringence properties, wide light transmission range, and easy processing. They are ideal for use in fiber optic ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: BBO (Beta Barium Borate), LiNbO3 (Lithium Niobate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: -- mm
Height: -- mm
...
Data Sheet
Lithium Niobate (LN), an outstanding and versatile material, has influenced our daily life for decades: from enabling high-speed optical communications that form the backbone of the Internet to realizing radio-frequency filtering used in our cell phones. This half-century-old material is currently embracing a revolution in thin-film ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: LiNbO3 (Lithium Niobate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 32 mm
Height: 6 mm
...
The KTA Crystal (KTiOAsO4) is a cutting-edge nonlinear optical crystal designed for a wide range of applications. With its exceptional features, including a large EO coefficient, considerable NLO coefficient, high damage threshold, and wide temperature and spectral range, this crystal is perfect for demanding optical systems. Its ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: KTA (KTiOAsO4)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 3 mm
Height: 5 mm
...
Data Sheet
The KTP Crystal (KTiOPO4) is an exceptional nonlinear optical crystal suitable for a wide range of applications. With its large NLO coefficients, wide angle and temperature bandwidth, and high photoelectric coefficient, this crystal delivers superior performance in various optical systems. It offers excellent conversion efficiency, ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: KTP (KTiOPO4)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 3 mm
Height: 5 mm
...
Data Sheet
Elevate your optical systems with the Voyawave Optics CLBO Crystal, renowned for its superior UV harmonic generation and efficient frequency conversion capabilities. With a shortwave cut-off edge reaching 180 nm, this crystal boasts a large effective nonlinear optical coefficient, large receiving angles, and high conversion ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: CLBO (CsLiB6O10)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type II
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 4-10 mm
Height: custom height mm
...
Data Sheet
The ZnGeP2 (ZGP) crystal is a superior frequency conversion material designed for high power and tunable infrared laser generation. With its large nonlinear coefficients, wide infrared transparency range, high thermal conductivity, and exceptional laser damage threshold, the ZGP crystal is considered the king of infrared nonlinear ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: ZnGeP2 (ZGP)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: -- mm
Height: -- mm
...
Data Sheet
The AgGaSe2 (AGSe) Crystal is a high-performance optical component designed for mid-infrared laser applications. With its exceptional frequency doubling efficiency, it enables optical parametric amplification, optical parametric oscillation, and differential frequency generation. The crystal's wide transmission range of 0.73-18 ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: AgGaSe2 (Silver Gallium Selenide)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 1 mm
Height: -- mm
...
Data Sheet
Introducing Voyawave Optics’ Premium Beta Barium Borate (BBO) Crystals, the ultimate choice for high-precision laser frequency conversion applications. Our BBO Crystals boast an impressive high damage threshold and an extensive phase matching band range from 410 to 3500 nm. Tailored for cutting-edge laser technologies, these ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: BBO (Beta Barium Borate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 6 mm
Height: 6 mm
...
Data Sheet
Size tolerance: ±0.05 mm Dimension tolerance: ≤ 0.5° Clear aperture: > 90% Surface quality: 20/10 Flatness: < λ/8@633nm Wavefront distortion: < λ/4@633nm Parallelism: < 20 arc sec Perpendicularity: < 5 arc min Coating: AR Quality warranty period: 1 year (with normal use)

Specifications

Crystal Type: LiNbO3 (Lithium Niobate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type II
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 6 mm
Height: 6 mm
...
Data Sheet
Discover the cutting-edge capabilities of Voyawave’s KDP & KDP crystals, ideal for high pulse energy and low repetition rate laser applications. These crystals excel in laser frequency conversion, harmonic generation, and electro-optic modulation. With high photodamage thresholds and superior electro-optic coefficients, our ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: KDP ( Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type II
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 5-20 mm
Height: custom height mm
...
Data Sheet
The BIBO (BiB3O6) crystal, offered by VoyaWave Optics Ltd., is a state-of-the-art nonlinear optical crystal that is specifically designed for high-efficiency frequency conversion applications. With a large effective nonlinear optical coefficient and high damage threshold, BIBO is perfectly suited for applications in laser frequency ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: BIBO (BiB3O6)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type II
Mounting: Mounted
Width: custom width mm
Height: custom height mm
...
Data Sheet
Technical Parameters Size Tolerance: ± 0.1 mm Dimension Tolerance: Δq < 0.5°, Δj < 0.5° Clear Aperture: > 90% Surface Quality: 10/5, 20/10 after coating Flatness: < λ/10@633nm Wavefront Distortion: < λ/8@633nm Parallelism: < 20 arc sec Perpendicularity: < 5 arc ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: LBO (Lithium Triborate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type II
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 3 mm
Height: 3 mm
...
Data Sheet
PHEONIXFIRE's KDP crystals are high-quality optical crystals that are widely used in nonlinear optical applications, including frequency doubling, tripling, and quadrupling of laser wavelengths. KDP stands for Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate, which is a material with excellent nonlinear optical properties. Our KDP crystals are highly ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: KDP ( Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I, Type II, Not Applicable
Mounting: Mounted, Unmounted
Width: Contact us mm
Height: Contact us mm
...
Data Sheet
PHEONIXFIRE's BBO crystals are high-quality nonlinear optical crystals that are widely used in various applications such as frequency conversion, electro-optic modulation, and second harmonic generation. BBO stands for beta-barium borate, which is a material with excellent nonlinear optical properties. Our BBO crystals are highly ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: BBO (Beta Barium Borate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I, Type II, Not Applicable
Mounting: Mounted, Unmounted
Width: Contact us mm
Height: Contact us mm
...
Data Sheet
PHEONIXFIRE's DKDP crystals are high-quality optical crystals that are known for their exceptional optical properties. DKDP stands for Deuterated Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate, which is a material commonly used in the fabrication of nonlinear optical devices and frequency conversion systems. Our DKDP crystals are highly ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: KD*P (Potassium Dideuterium Phosphate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I, Type II, Not Applicable
Mounting: Mounted, Unmounted
Width: Contact us mm
Height: Contact us mm
...
Data Sheet
Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) Crystal is widely used as frequency doublers for wavelength >1um and optical parametric oscillators (OPO) pumped at 1064 nm as well as quasi-phase-matched (QPM) devices. Due to its large Electro-Optic(E-O) and Acousto-Optic(A-O) coefficients, LiNbO3 is also widely used as electro-optic modulator and ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: LiNbO3 (Lithium Niobate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 5 mm
Height: 5 mm
...
Data Sheet
Lithium Triborate (LiB3O5 or LBO) is an attractive nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal which widely used for harmonic generation of high-intensity laser radiation.

Specifications

Crystal Type: LBO (Lithium Triborate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 10 mm
Height: 10 mm
...
Data Sheet
KDP and KD*P are nonlinear optical materials, characterized by high damage threshold, good nonlinear optical coefficients and electro-optic coefficients. It can used for doubling, tripling and quadrupling of Nd:YAG laser at room temperature, and electro-optical modulators.

Specifications

Crystal Type: KD*P (Potassium Dideuterium Phosphate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 6 mm
Height: 6 mm
...
Data Sheet
Potassium Titanium Oxide Phosphate (KTiOPO4 ), or KTP, is an efficient nonlinear optical crystal in the visible to infrared spectral region with relatively low cost. It has large nonlinear coefficient. The effective nonlinear optical coefficient of KTP deff at 1064nm is more than 1.5 times that of BBO.

Specifications

Crystal Type: KTP (KTiOPO4)
Phase Mathcing Type: Type I
Mounting: Mounted
Width: 5 mm
Height: 5 mm
...
Data Sheet
AgGaS2 and AgGaSe2 Crystals by GB Group
GB group, Inc.
Silver Gallium Sulfide (AgGaS2) and Silver Gallium Selenite (AgGaSe2) crystals have attained special interest for the middle and deep infrared (IR) applications due to its large nonlinear optical (NLO) coefficients and high transmission in the IR region.   The phase matching and transmission characteristics of AgGaS2 ...

Specifications

Crystal Type: AgGaS2 (Silver Gallium Sulfide), AgGaSe2 (Silver Gallium Selenide)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: N/A mm
Height: N/A mm
...
Data Sheet
BBO Crystal by GB Group
GB group, Inc.
Because of a small acceptance angle and large walk-off, good laser beam quality beta barium borate is an efficient NLO crystal for second, third and fourth harmonic generations of Nd:YAG laser.

Specifications

Crystal Type: BBO (Beta Barium Borate)
Phase Mathcing Type: Not Applicable
Mounting: Unmounted
Width: 20 mm
Height: 20 mm
...
Data Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Nonlinear crystals are optical materials with a refractive index that changes with the intensity of light. They are used in nonlinear optics, a branch of optics that studies the behavior of light in nonlinear media.

Nonlinear crystals work by altering the properties of light such as frequency, phase, or amplitude in a nonlinear way. When intense light passes through these crystals, they can generate new frequencies, amplify signals, or change the speed of light.

Common materials used for nonlinear crystals include Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3), Beta Barium Borate (BBO), Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP), and Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP).

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical process where two photons combine within a nonlinear crystal to create a new photon with twice the frequency and half the wavelength of the original photons. This is commonly used to change the color of laser light.

Phase matching is a condition where the phase velocities of different waves interacting within a nonlinear crystal are synchronized. This is essential for efficient energy transfer between the waves and is crucial for processes like second harmonic generation.

Nonlinear crystals are widely used in laser systems for frequency conversion, in telecommunications for signal amplification and wavelength generation, and in research for studies like ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum computing.

Choosing the right nonlinear crystal involves considering factors like the nonlinear coefficient, transparency range, phase matching conditions, thermal conductivity, and the specific requirements of the application.

The future of nonlinear crystals in photonics is promising with ongoing research in finding new materials with higher nonlinear coefficients, development of hybrid materials, and exploring applications in areas like quantum technology and ultrafast optics.

Yes, nonlinear crystals are used in medical applications such as laser surgery and medical imaging. For example, in ophthalmology, frequency-doubled lasers are used for precise procedures on the eye.

In telecommunications, nonlinear crystals are vital for optical signal processing, including amplification, frequency conversion, and compensation for signal dispersion in optical fibers. They enable high-speed and high-capacity optical communication networks.

Nonlinear Crystals: A Comprehensive Overview

Nonlinear crystals are at the forefront of modern photonics, playing a crucial role in a plethora of applications ranging from telecommunications to laser technology. These materials are distinct due to their ability to alter the properties of light in nonlinear ways, as opposed to the linear interaction found in regular optical materials. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of nonlinear crystals, explore their applications, and consider the advancements in this dynamic field.

Understanding Nonlinear Optics

The Concept: To fully comprehend nonlinear crystals, it's imperative to grasp the concept of nonlinear optics. Typically, when light interacts with a medium, the response of the medium is directly proportional to the intensity of the light. However, in nonlinear optics, the relationship is not linear. When light of high intensity interacts with a nonlinear material, it can change frequency, phase, or amplitude in a way that is not directly proportional to the input.

Nonlinear Optical Effects: In nonlinear materials, several optical phenomena can be observed. Some of the most notable are:

  • Second Harmonic Generation (SHG): A process where two photons with the same frequency combine to generate a new photon with twice the frequency and half the wavelength of the initial photons.
  • Sum and Difference Frequency Generation (SFG/DFG): Phenomena where photons interact to produce a photon with a frequency equal to the sum or difference of their frequencies.
  • Optical Parametric Amplification (OPA): A process where a photon is split into two photons with lower energies, where the sum of their energies is equal to the energy of the original photon.

Nonlinear Crystals – The Building Blocks

Material Properties: Nonlinear crystals are specially engineered materials that exhibit strong nonlinear optical properties. The efficiency of nonlinear interactions is characterized by the nonlinear coefficient of the crystal. Common materials include Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3), Beta Barium Borate (BBO), and Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP).

Selection Criteria: When selecting a nonlinear crystal for specific applications, several factors must be considered:

  • Nonlinear Coefficient: A measure of the efficiency of the nonlinear optical interaction.
  • Transparency Range: The wavelength range over which the crystal remains transparent is critical, especially for applications involving different wavelength lights.
  • Phase Matching Conditions: The ability of the crystal to maintain a consistent phase relationship between interacting waves. This is vital for efficient energy transfer.
  • Thermal Conductivity: High thermal conductivity is essential for applications with high-intensity light to dissipate heat effectively.

Applications of Nonlinear Crystals

Laser Frequency Conversion: One of the most prevalent applications of nonlinear crystals is in laser frequency conversion. For example, green lasers often use SHG to convert infrared light from a diode laser into green light.

Telecommunication: Nonlinear crystals are instrumental in optical communication systems. They are used to amplify signals, compensate for dispersion, and even generate new frequencies for wavelength-division multiplexing.

Quantum Computing and Information: The generation and manipulation of quantum states of light, vital for quantum computing and information, are made possible through nonlinear optical processes within nonlinear crystals.

Future Prospects and Advancements

As photonic technologies continue to evolve, the demand for more efficient and versatile nonlinear crystals increases. Research is actively being conducted to find new materials with higher nonlinear coefficients and broader transparency ranges. Hybrid materials and meta-materials are also an area of active research that can potentially revolutionize the capabilities of nonlinear crystals.

Conclusion

Nonlinear crystals are indispensable in modern photonic applications. Through their unique ability to interact with light in non-linear ways, they have found utility in lasers, telecommunications, and emerging fields like quantum information processing.

Did You know?

Nonlinear crystals are the linchpins in the world of advanced optics and photonics. They are crucial in applications that involve frequency conversion, sum or difference frequency generation, and optical parametric processes. What makes them so special? It’s their ability to change the properties of light in remarkable ways. Common nonlinear crystals you might come across include Lithium Triborate (LBO), Beta Barium Borate (BBO), Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP), Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate & Potassium Dideuterium Phosphate (KDP & DKDP), Lithium Iodate (LiIO3), and Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3). In the infrared spectrum, crystals such as AgGaS2, AgGaSe2, GaSe, and ZnGeP2 stand out for their exceptional properties. But there's more! Some of these crystals, like DKDP, BBO, and KTP, have a dual role. They not only participate in nonlinear optical processes but also boast electro-optical properties. This dual nature makes them invaluable in applications such as Q-switching and electro-optical amplitude modulation, which are vital in precision laser systems. When it comes to selecting the right nonlinear crystal, conversion efficiency is king. This efficiency hinges on several factors including the effective nonlinear coefficient, crystal length, input power density, and phase matching. In a nutshell, these factors work together to determine how adept a crystal is at converting input light into the desired output. So, the next time you come across a cutting-edge laser or a sophisticated optical communication system, chances are, nonlinear crystals are doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes!