Description

Material General Description regarding to BBO Crystal 

Beta-Barium Borate (BBO), with the chemical formula β-BaB₂O₄, is a nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal renowned for its superior optical properties and broad transmission range (190–3500 nm). With a high nonlinear coefficient and exceptional thermal and mechanical stability, BBO is a preferred choice for frequency conversion applications, including SHG, THG, and optical parametric oscillators (OPOs).

BBO exhibits a high damage threshold (>10 GW/cm² at 1064 nm), low absorption loss, and excellent phase-matching capabilities. Its uniaxial structure, characterized by high homogeneity and minimal walk-off angles, supports both type I and type II phase matching, enabling precise frequency tuning for ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR) outputs. This crystal’s durability, coupled with its compatibility with advanced coatings, makes it an indispensable material in high-power laser systems, spectroscopy, and electro-optic applications.

General Applications and Examples

BBO crystals are versatile and widely utilized in a variety of high-performance applications:

1. Harmonic Generation:
   • High-efficiency SHG and THG for Nd:YAG lasers, producing UV wavelengths at 213 nm and beyond.
   • Fifth harmonic generation with >200 mW output at 213 nm.
2. Ultrashort Pulse Lasers:
   • Frequency-doubling and tripling ultrashort pulses, enabling efficient wavelength conversion in femtosecond laser systems.
   • Pulse widths as short as 10 fs with superior phase-velocity matching.
3. Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs):
   • Tunable coherent radiation across 400–3100 nm with exceptional conversion efficiency (18%-30%).
   • Type I and Type II phase-matching capabilities for precise wavelength adjustments.
4. Dye Lasers:
   • High UV output efficiency (205–310 nm) for spectroscopy and advanced dye laser applications.
5. Electro-Optic Devices:
   • Ideal for Q-switching and modulation in high-power systems, with energy outputs exceeding 100 W and repetition rates up to 1000 kHz.