13 - Growth and Development of Nonlinear Optical Borate Crystals for Generation of Visible and UV Light

Abstract

This chapter reviews the recent development and growth of borate NLO crystals for generation of high-power visible and UV light, especially that of CsLiB6O10 (CLBO), GdxY1-xCa4O(BO3)3 (GdYCOB), and K2Al2B2O7 (KAB) crystals. The development of these new borate materials has stimulated significant progress in the generation of high-power UV light by NLO crystals. The nonlinear response of these crystals is considered related to the interaction between the cation and the anionic group, as consistent with that reported earlier for KTP crystals. The development of NLO borate crystals is promoted by the need for a high-power, coherent, all-solid-state UV light source. Under such circumstances, borate crystals of “perfect” quality are needed for minimizing linear and nonlinear optical absorption and thus suppressing the occurrence of laser induced damage and thermal dephasing. Advances in crystal growth techniques and device processing are important. New approaches for growing crystals like KBBF and SBBO must be considered for further progress in this area.