Birefringent Phase Matching Research Articles

Broadband and widely tunable second harmonic generation in suspended thin-film LiNbO3 rib waveguides

Our study demonstrates second harmonic generation (SHG) in a high confinement LiNbO3 rib waveguide through type-I birefringence phase matching of fundamental modes. The combination of micro-waveguide dispersion and material birefringence reveals unique SHG characteristics that complement the performance of standard LiNbO3 on insulator (LNOI) components. Dual-pump wavelength phase matching in the near-infrared and mid-infrared regions is shown in a given waveguide. These two wavelengths can be positioned in the 1.1–3.5 μm range or converge near 1.5 μm by adjusting the core waveguide size or through temperature tuning. A 25 °C temperature change enables a broad pump tunability band of 300 nm, ranging from 1350 to 1650 nm, with a conversion efficiency exceeding 40 %/W/cm2 within a single waveguide. A temperature tuning range of up to 900 nm is foreseen by tailoring the waveguide core size. In addition, a broadband response of 150 nm within the telecom window is demonstrated experimentally. The nonlinear waveguide, etched in a thin film membrane, is combined with titanium-indiffused waveguides to form a monolithic LiNbO3 component. This configuration provides low coupling losses of 0.8 dB and single-mode operation. It paves the way for a new generation of versatile and cost-effective frequency conversion components with wide-band spectral responses suitable for optical communications, environmental sensing, and quantum information processing.

Compact polarization-entangled photon source based on coexisting noncritically birefringent and quasi phase matching in a nonlinear crystal

Polarization-entangled photons are indispensable to numerous quantum technologies and fundamental studies. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate what we believe to be a novel source that generates collinear polarization-entangled photons by simultaneously achieving two distinct types of phase-matching conditions (noncritically birefringent and quasi phase matching) in a periodically poled nonlinear crystal with a large poling period of 2 mm. The photon pairs are generated in a polarization-entangled state with a fidelity and concurrence of 0.998 and 0.935, respectively, and violate the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality by 84 standard deviations. The compact source does not require interferometer, delicate domain structures, or post selection, and is advantageous for scalable quantum computing and communication, where many replicas or chip-scale devices are needed.

Octave‐Spanning Second‐Harmonic Generation in Dispersion‐Engineered Lithium Niobate‐on‐Insulator Microwaveguide

Broadband lasers, e.g., ultrashort lasers, optical supercontinuum, and frequency combs, are revolutionary coherent light sources, which enable a plethora of state‐of‐the‐art applications ranging from precision spectroscopy to optical clocks. However, the spectral broadening of these coherent light sources mainly relies on the third‐order nonlinearity () and is difficult to extend to the visible or shorter wavelength regime. Second‐order nonlinearity (), which is orders of magnitude larger than , becomes a powerful tool for the frequency translation if its broadband operation is well addressed. Herein, an octave‐spanning second‐harmonic generation scheme is experimentally demonstrated beyond an extremely large frequency range of 135 THz and high conversion efficiency of 1% for sub‐100 pJ for the near‐infrared picosecond supercontinuum in a fiber–waveguide–fiber configuration. The process relies on ultrabroadband birefringence phase matching in the dispersion‐engineered lithium niobate‐on‐insulator ridge microwaveguide. The mode area of microwaveguide well matches with single‐mode lens fiber, reducing coupling loss and ensuring easy packaging. The method provides a new approach to span the wavelength range of coherent light with ‐based wavelength translation for supercontinuum or frequency combs into the visible regime. The result would find applications in spectroscopy, astrophysics, atomic optics, optical synthesis, etc.

Lithium niobate on insulator – fundamental opto-electronic properties and photonic device prospects

Abstract Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) combines a variety of optoelectronic properties and can meet practical performance requirements that are uncommon in optoelectronic materials. This review introduces the fundamentals and the photonic device concepts that arise from the LNOI materials platform. Firstly, the nonlinear optical response of LNOI is presented, including birefringent phase matching (BPM), modal phase matching (MPM), and quasi-phase matching (QPM). The tunable properties are also introduced, including electro-optical (EO), thermo-optical (TO), and acousto-optical (AO) effects. The structures of nonlinear optical devices, such as ridge waveguides (including periodically polarized inversion waveguides), Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) modulators and micro-resonators (such as disks and rings) are demonstrated. Finally, the future of LNOI devices is discussed. In the already mature and developed optoelectronic material systems, it is rare to find one particular material system supporting so many basic optical components, photonic devices and optoelectronic devices as LNOI does in the field of integrated photonic chips.

Ultra-broadband and ultra-high conversion efficiency difference frequency generation in a dual-layer thin-film LiNbO3 waveguide with reversed ferroelectric domain orientations

Although there is a great breakthrough in second harmonic generation based on the birefringence and quasi phase matching (QPM) concepts, the development of an efficient difference frequency generation (DFG) based on modal phase matching (MPM) is still in its infancy at present. In this paper, we propose an ultra-broadband and ultra-high conversion efficiency mid-infrared DFG on the basis of MPM in a dual-layer waveguide consisting of two reversed poled LiNbO3 thin-films on sapphire. The ultra-high conversion efficiency is ascribed to significantly enhanced nonlinear interaction realized by making use of spatial profile of optical nonlinearity of LN crystal produced by two reversed ferroelectric domain orientations in the dual-layer waveguide. The proposed DFG device has been modeled on the basis of a 0.98 μm pump wave and a 1.34–1.44 μm signal wave, the frequency difference of which generates a mid-infrared idler wave centered at 3.32 μm wavelength. The results show that the device exhibits excellent DFG performance, including an ultra-high nonlinear conversion efficiency 434.6 % W−1 cm−2 and an ultra-broad tuning band 340 nm meanwhile, which far exceed the performance of conventional MPM devices, even the QPM ones.

Monolithic PMN-39PT nanograting-assisted second harmonic generation enhancement.

Second harmonic generation plays a vital role in frequency conversion which mutually promotes the laser technology and allows the wavebands extension of new coherent source. The monolithic crystals are supposed to be a superior choice for harmonic generation due to long interaction distance, however, the phase-mismatch brought a sharp reduction in the conversion efficiency. Although birefringent phase-matching and quasi-phase-matching techniques are commonly utilized to fill the phase gap in monolithic crystals, these techniques are limited by the natural refractive index of crystal and the domain engineering, respectively. In recent years, subwavelength structures evolve as a flexible scheme to realize phase matching by engineering the geometry features of crystals. Here, structured nanogratings are designed and fabricated on a monolithic PMN-39PT (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.39PbTiO3) substrate, a novel ferroelectric crystal with promising optical prospect, for enhancing second harmonic generation, where birefringent or quasi phase-matching is hard to achieve. The nanograting-assisted second harmonic generation enhancement is observed which is not limited by the availability of thin crystalline films. Meanwhile, a boost in the second harmonic signal synchronously promotes the cascading third harmonic generation. This method may provide an alternative solution for enhanced harmonic generation on monolithic substrates and develop potential nonlinear optical materials for frequency conversion.

Hierarchical van der Waals Assemblies to Boost Deep‐Ultraviolet Nonlinear‐Optical Capabilities in Boron Phosphate

AbstractCristobalite‐type boron phosphate BPO4, an important nonlinear‐optical (NLO) crystal, exhibits nearly the largest bandgap (Eg ≈ 9.3 eV) and a significant second‐harmonic‐generation (SHG) effect (d36 ≈ 0.7 pm V−1) in the deep‐ultraviolet (DUV, < 200 nm) spectral region. However, its conventional tetrahedral framework structure tends to have low structural anisotropy, resulting in a severe deficiency of birefringence (Δn < 0.01), which fails to achieve DUV birefringent phase matching. In this work, the local anisotropy of tetrahedral structures are proposed to enlarge by constructing van der Waals (vdW) anisotropic motifs under synthetic chemical conditions, which can effectively convert unattainable extreme external forces into internal stresses in chemical bond structures. Depending on unique hierarchical vdW assemblies, enormous tetrahedral distortions can be achieved by stable in‐plane or in‐line bond matching between rigid tetrahedral primitives. First‐principles calculations demonstrate that the birefringence of 2D layered and 1D chained BPO4 achieved by vdW engineering are scaled from Δn < 0.01 to 0.07–0.13, with the shortest birefringent phase‐matched wavelengths down to DUV 189–154 nm. The finding is of seminal importance for the design of vdW NLO crystals in structural chemistry and would provide opportunities to explore unique vdW DUV NLO materials under extreme synthetic conditions.

A Ferroelectric Nonlinear Optical Crystal for Deep‐UV Quasi‐Phase‐Matching

AbstractPhase matching is indispensable for high efficiency of second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals. Thousands of these crystals rely on birefringence phase matching, whereas only a few of them are quasi‐phase matching without the restriction of birefringence. Herein, using oriented seeds inch‐sized LiNH4SO4 (LAS) single crystals are successfully grown. LAS is NLO‐active with a very short deep‐UV absorption edge of 171 nm and high laser damage threshold up to 1.47 GW cm−2 at 1064 nm, 10 ns, but its birefringence is merely 0.0078@532 nm, which is too small to realize birefringence phase matching in deep‐UV region. Fortunately, P−E hysteresis loop, variable‐temperature NLO tests, and ferroelectric domain observations confirm that LAS is ferroelectric. Furthermore, LAS exhibits small refractive index dispersion resulting in a relatively long periodic length of 1.4 µm and its single domain structure can be easily obtained by electrical poling. These attributes make LAS a scarce NLO candidate for deep‐UV quasi‐phase matching. This work highlights the longly overlooked potential of sulfates and provides new opportunities for deep‐UV NLO materials.

Birefringent Dispersion Optimization to Achieve Superior Nonlinear Optical Phase Matching in Deeper Solar-Blind UV Band from KH2PO4 to BeH3PO5.

Nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystals require birefringent phase matching (BPM), particularly in the solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) (200-280nm) and deep-UV (100-200nm) regions. Achieving BPM requires optimization of optical dispersion along with having large birefringence. This requirement is especially critical for structures with low optical anisotropy, including classical phosphate UV-NLO crystals like KH2PO4 (KDP). However, there is a scarcity of in-depth theoretical analysis and general design strategies based on structural chemistry to optimize dispersion. This study presents findings from a simplified dielectric model that uncover two vital factors to micro-optimize transparent optical dispersion: effective mass (m*) of excited states and effective number (N*) of photo-responsive states. Smoothing of dispersion occurs as m* increases and N* decreases. First-principles analysis of deep-UV KBe2BO3F2-family structures is used to confirm the conciseness and validity of the model. It further proposes substituting K+ with Be2+ to decrease N* and increase m* while enlarging bandgap. This will lead to improved dispersion and an overall enhancement of KDP's BPM capability. The existing BeH3PO5 (BDP) is predicted to improve the shortest BPM wavelength for second-harmonic generation, from 251nm in KDP to 201nm in BDP. BDP's extension into the broader UV solar-blind waveband fully supports the proposed optimization strategy.

Highly efficient octave-spanning long-wavelength infrared generation with a 74% quantum efficiency in a χ(2) waveguide

The realization of compact and efficient broadband mid-infrared (MIR) lasers has enormous impacts in promoting MIR spectroscopy for various important applications. A number of well-designed waveguide platforms have been demonstrated for MIR supercontinuum and frequency comb generations based on cubic nonlinearities, but unfortunately third-order nonlinear response is inherently weak. Here, we propose and demonstrate for the first time a χ(2) micrometer waveguide platform based on birefringence phase matching for long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) laser generation with a high quantum efficiency. In a ZnGeP2-based waveguide platform, an octave-spanning spectrum covering 5–11 μm is generated through optical parametric generation (OPG). A quantum conversion efficiency of 74% as a new record in LWIR single-pass parametric processes is achieved. The threshold energy is measured as ~616 pJ, reduced by more than 1-order of magnitude as compared to those of MIR OPGs in bulk media. Our prototype micro-waveguide platform could be extended to other χ(2) birefringence crystals and trigger new frontiers of MIR integrated nonlinear photonics.

Self-Separation of a Single Ultrashort Light Pulse in the Parametric Raman Anti-Stokes Laser Based on a CaMoO4 Crystal under Intracavity Synchronous Pumping

The effect of the self-separation of a single ultrashort light pulse of a parametric Raman CaMoO4 laser with birefringence phase matching under intracavity synchronous pumping by a mode-locked 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is experimentally investigated and theoretically simulated. The conditions for the self-separation effect for the single ultrashort pulse at an anti-Stokes wavelength of 973 nm with the pulse duration of 9 ps and the pulse energy of up to 9 μJ are defined.

Broadband second-harmonic generation in an angle-cut lithium niobate-on-insulator waveguide by a temperature gradient.

Frequency conversion via nonlinear wave mixing is an important technology to broaden the spectral range of lasers, propelling their applications in optical communication, spectroscopy, signal processing, and quantum information. Many applications require not only a high conversion efficiency but also a broad phase matching bandwidth. Here, we demonstrate broadband birefringence phase matching (BPM) second-harmonic generation (SHG) in angle-cut lithium niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) ridge waveguides based on a temperature gradient scheme. The bandwidth and shift of the phase matching spectrum can be effectively tuned by controlling the temperature gradient of the waveguide. Broadband SHG of a telecom C-band femtosecond laser is also demonstrated. The approach may open a new avenue for tunable broadband nonlinear frequency conversion in various integrated photonics platforms.

Broadband second harmonic generation by birefringent phase matching in an X-cut LiNbO3 membrane

We designed an X-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO3) membrane dedicated to type I second harmonic generation (SHG) at telecom wavelength. A competitive conversion efficiency compared to a quasi-phase-matched configuration with the advantage of a broadband response of 100nm is shown.

Multi-color laser generation in periodically poled KTP crystal with single period

Frequency conversion based on three-wave mixing is a critical nonlinear optic application, extending the frequency range of existing lasers and realizing frequency-transduced detectors in a wavelength range that lacks an effective detector. Phase matching is vital for effective frequency conversion. The advantages of quasi-phase matching (QPM) over birefringent phase matching are a lack of walk-off effect, a maximum nonlinear coefficient, and phase matching in the entire transparency window. Herein, using different types and orders of QPM, four kinds of effective frequency doubling processes are realized in a periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal with a single period, and three kinds of frequency doubling processes are experimentally verified. We also show a feasible way to construct an RGB color generator based on two different QPM processes. This study significantly expands the feasible frequency conversion of existing lasers to different wavelengths, providing an effective method for multi-color laser generation based on periodically poled KTP crystals.

Relaxed Phase-Matching Constraints in Zero-Index Waveguides

The utility of all parametric nonlinear optical processes is hampered by phase-matching requirements. Quasi-phase-matching, birefringent phase matching, and higher-order-mode phase matching have all been developed to address this constraint, but the methods demonstrated to date suffer from the inconvenience of only being phase matched for a single, specific arrangement of beams, typically copropagating, resulting in cumbersome experimental configurations and large footprints for integrated devices. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that these phase-matching requirements may be satisfied in a parametric nonlinear optical process for multiple, if not all, configurations of input and output beams when using low-index media. Our measurement constitutes the first experimental observation of direction-independent phase matching for a medium sufficiently long for phase matching to be relevant. We demonstrate four-wave mixing from spectrally distinct co- and counterpropagating pump and probe beams, the backward generation of a nonlinear signal, and excitation by an out-of-plane probe beam. These results explicitly show that the unique properties of low-index media relax traditional phase-matching constraints, which can be exploited to facilitate nonlinear interactions and miniaturize nonlinear devices, thus adding to the established exceptional properties of low-index materials.

Highly tunable birefringent phase-matched second-harmonic generation in an angle-cut lithium niobate-on-insulator ridge waveguide.

Phase-matched nonlinear wave mixing, e.g., second-harmonic generation (SHG), is crucial for frequency conversion for integrated photonics and applications, where phase matching wavelength tunability in a wide manner is important. Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel design of angle-cut ridge waveguides for SHG on the lithium niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) platform via type-I birefringent phase matching (BPM). The unique strong birefringence of LN is used to achieve flexible temperature tuning. We experimentally demonstrate a normalized BPM conversion efficiency of 2.7%W-1cm-2 in an angle-cut LN ridge waveguide with a thermo tuning slope of 1.06 nm/K at the telecommunication C band. The approach effectively overcomes the spatial walk-off effect and avoids the need for periodic domain engineering. Furthermore, the angle-cut ridge waveguide scheme can be universally extended to other on-chip birefringent platforms where domain engineering is difficult or immature. The approach may open up an avenue for tunable nonlinear frequency conversion on integrated photonics for broad applications.

Phosphogermanate Crystal: A New Ultraviolet-Infrared Nonlinear Optical Crystal with Excellent Optical Performances.

The phase matching ability is a key factor for nonlinear optical crystals to realize coherent output. Herein, a new design strategy combining ultraviolet and infrared functional groups into a ferroelectric was put forward. Thus, a phosphogermanate crystal, KGeOPO4, was designed and studied. It exhibits a wide transparency window (0.22-9.70 μm), a strong second harmonic generation response (5× KH2PO4), a high laser-induced damage threshold (1.61 GW/cm2), and the typical ferroelectricity (coercive field ∼ 9.8 kV/cm and remnant polarization ∼7.6 μC/cm2). In the infrared region, it could realize coherent output by the birefringence phase matching method, while it could generate ultraviolet coherent lights by the quasi-phase matching technique. Therefore, this work designs a promising ultraviolet-infrared nonlinear optical crystal and provides a new perspective for exploring nonlinear optical crystals.

Femtosecond optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification in birefringent step-index fiber.

We demonstrate an optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier (OPCPA) that uses birefringence phase matching in a step-index single-mode optical fiber. The OPCPA is pumped with chirped pulses that can be compressed to sub-30-fs duration. The signal (idler) pulses are generated at 905 nm (1270 nm), have 26 nJ (20 nJ) pulse energy, and are compressible to 70 fs duration. The short compressed signal and idler pulse durations are enabled by the broad bandwidth of the pump pulses. Numerical simulations guiding the design are consistent with the experimental results and predict that scaling to higher pulse energies will be possible. Forgoing a photonic crystal fiber for phase-matching offers practical advantages, including allowing energy scaling with mode area.

Second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation based on birefringence phase matching of BaMgF4 crystal.

BaMgF4 is a ferroelectric nonlinear crystal with a very wide transparency window ranging from 125 nm to 13µm of the wavelength. Therefore, it is a candidate material to generate ultraviolet or deep ultraviolet laser, which is very important in lithography, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced instrument development. Here, the second-order birefringence phase-matching processes of the BaMgF4 crystal were studied, including second-harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG). In the experiments, we measured the phase-matching angle, nonlinear frequency conversion efficiency, and angle bandwidth of SHG and SFG processes of BaMgF4 crystal, which are in well agreement with the theoretical calculations. This study may promote the research of nonlinear optical process of BaMgF4 crystal and also the further development of all-solid-state vacuum ultraviolet lasers.

Investigation of Mid-Infrared Broadband Second-Harmonic Generation in Non-Oxide Nonlinear Optic Crystals

The mid-infrared (mid-IR) continuum generation based on broadband second harmonic generation (SHG) (or difference frequency generation) is of great interest in a wide range of applications such as free space communications, environmental monitoring, thermal imaging, high-sensitivity metrology, gas sensing, and molecular fingerprint spectroscopy. The second-order nonlinear optic (NLO) crystals have been spotlighted as a material platform for converting the wavelengths of existing lasers into the mid-IR spectral region or for realizing tunable lasers. In particular, the spectral coverage could be extended to ~19 µm with non-oxide NLO crystals. In this paper, we theoretically and numerically investigated the broadband SHG properties of non-oxide mid-IR crystals in three categories: chalcopyrite semiconductors, defect chalcopyrite, and orthorhombic ternary chalcogenides. The technique is based on group velocity matching between interacting waves in addition to birefringent phase matching. We will describe broadband SHG characteristics in terms of beam propagation directions, spectral positions of resonance, effective nonlinearities, spatial walk-offs between interacting beams, and spectral bandwidths. The results will show that the spectral bandwidths of the fundamental wave allowed for broadband SHG to reach several hundreds of nm. The corresponding SH spectral range spans from 1758.58 to 4737.18 nm in the non-oxide crystals considered in this study. Such broadband SHG using short pulse trains can potentially be applied to frequency up-conversion imaging in the mid-IR region, in information transmission, and in nonlinear optical signal processing.