BiB3O6 (BIBO) Crystal Description
BiB3O6 (BIBO) is a newly developed nonlinear optical crystal. It features a large effective nonlinear coefficient, a high laser damage threshold and is insensitive to moisture. Its nonlinear coefficient is 3.5 to 4 times higher than that of LBO and 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of BBO. It is employed as a doubling crystal for the production of blue lasers. At CASTECH the Top-Seed-Solution-Growth (TSSG) technique is used for the growth of BIBO single crystals.
BiB3O6 (BIBO) Crystal Specifications
Aperture
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1x1 to 15x15 mm
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Length
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0.01 to 25 mm
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Phase-matching angles θ and φ
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Determined by the specific method of fundamental wave generation
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Type of phase matching
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Type I or Type II
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End configuration
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Flat, Brewster or as specified
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Coating
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P-coatings, AR-coatings and holders
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Angular tolerance
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Δθ < ±0.5°; Δφ < ±0.5°
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Dimensional tolerance
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(B ± 0.1 mm) x (H ± 0.1 mm) x (L +0.2 mm/−0.1 mm)
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Flatness
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λ/8 @ 633 nm
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Surface quality
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10/5 scratches/depth according to MIL-O-13830A
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Parallelism
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Better than 20 arc seconds
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Perpendicularity
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5 arc minutes
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Wavefront distortion
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Less than λ/8 at 633 nm
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Clear aperture
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Greater than 90% of the central area
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BiB3O6 (BIBO) Crystal Applications
- SHG and THG for medium and high power Nd: lasers at 1064 nm
- SHG and THG for high-power Nd: lasers at 1342 nm and 1319 nm for red and blue lasers
- SHG for Nd: lasers at 914 nm and 946 nm for blue lasers
- Optical parametric amplifier (OPA) and oscillator (OPO) applications
- BIBO crystals exhibit a higher laser damage threshold and a higher conversion efficiency for second harmonic generation.
- BIBO crystals are non-hygroscopic and can be grown to large sizes.
BiB3O6 (BIBO) Crystal Characteristics:
Broad transparency range: The BIBO crystal exhibits a broad transparency range from the ultraviolet (UV) to the infrared (IR) spectral regions. This allows its use in a variety of frequency conversion processes.
Large nonlinear coefficients: It is characterised by significant nonlinear coefficients that support frequency doubling, sum frequency generation (SFG) and optical parametric processes.
High damage threshold: The BIBO crystal can withstand high-intensity laser beams and is suitable for high power laser systems.
Type-I and Type-II phase matching: It supports both Type-I and Type-II phase matching, thereby permitting its use in varied nonlinear optical processes.
BiB3O6 (BIBO) Crystal Advantages:
Frequency conversion capability: The BIBO crystal is used in frequency doubling and parametric processes. It facilitates the production of additional wavelengths for diverse applications.
Broad spectral range: Its broad transparency range enables its application in laser technology, spectroscopy and optical imaging.
Resistance to damage: The BIBO crystal demonstrates resistance to damage, thereby preserving its performance in high power laser systems.