Thin/Ultrathin LBO Crystals

LBO crystal is a useful nonlinear crystal for frequency conversions of ultrafast lasers. One of the main considerations for such an application is the pulse broadening induced by the group velocity (Vg) mismatch between the input pulses and the generated pulse due to the dispersion in the crystal. In order to avoid pulse broadening, the thickness of the crystal should not exceed the maximum length (Lmax) as defined by the pulsewidth divided by the inversed group velocity mismatch (IGVM = ΔVg-1). The table below lists the Lmax for second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum frequency generation (SFG) of 10 fs pulses at the wavelength range of a Ti:Sapphire laser, one of the most common ultrafast lasers,
|
Type I PM on XY plane |
SHG @ |
SHG @ |
SHG @ |
SHG @ 1064 nm |
SFG @ |
| IGVM (ps/cm) |
1.73 |
1.20 |
0.87 |
0.43 |
4.47 |
| Lmax@10 fs (µm) |
60 |
85 |
115 |
232 |
22 |
A thickness of ~ 100 µm (0.1 mm) is apparently desired for most frequency conversion processes of 10 fs pulses.
Newlight Photonics offers on this page ultrathin/thin LBO crystals 100 µm (0.1 mm) - 3.0 mm thick developed for frequency conversions of short pulses. The typical apertures are 5x5 mm and 10x10 mm.
For thicker LBO crystals (T>3 mm) for longer pulses (ns, ps), please visit Thick LBO Crystals.

