Characterization of polarizer made of the deep-UV birefringent crystal Ba2Mg(B3O6)2.

Abstract

In optical communications and the laser industry, modulating the polarization of light requires crystals with both large birefringence and a wide transparent range. A good candidate for a deep-UV birefringent crystal is Ba2Mg(B3O6) because it has a large birefringence and short UV cutoff edge. We grew Ba2Mg(B3O6)2 crystals with sizes up to 41 mm×40 mm×7 mm using the top-seeded solution growth method. We obtained the thermal-expansion coefficients in different directions and the thermo-optic coefficients and then designed and manufactured a Glan-Taylor type polarizer to fulfill the commercial requirements.