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LN Crystal

POC-OC-122410-LN Crystal

  • Broad transparency range of 420 nm to 5200 nm.
  • High electro-optic (E-O) and acousto-optic (A-O) coefficients.
  • Non-hygroscopic, mechanically, and chemically stable structure.
  • Excellent optical homogeneity (~5 x 10^-5 cm).
  • Compatible with high-power laser systems for frequency doubling and modulation.

Customizable Components Available for This Material to Meet Your Specific Needs!

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Material General Description of LN Crystal

Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃ or LN Crystal) is a versatile nonlinear optical material widely utilized in photonics for its remarkable electro-optic (E-O) and acousto-optic (A-O) properties. It is commonly used for frequency doubling (SHG) of infrared lasers operating beyond 1 µm, optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) at 1064 nm, and quasi-phase-matched (QPM) devices. Known for its high optical damage threshold, excellent optical homogeneity, and mechanical robustness, LN Crystal is ideal for precision applications like Pockel cells, Q-switches, phase modulators, waveguide substrates, and surface acoustic wave (SAW) wafers. With a melting point of 1253°C and a Curie temperature of 1140°C, it exhibits stability under rigorous operational conditions.

3. General Applications and Examples

LN Crystals are highly valued across diverse photonic applications:

  • Frequency Doubling (SHG): Perfect for doubling the frequency of Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO₄ lasers beyond 1 µm.
  • Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs): Used for tunable mid-infrared light generation in spectroscopy, biomedical imaging, and remote sensing.
  • Quasi-Phase-Matched Devices (QPM): Provides higher conversion efficiency in periodically poled LiNbO₃ for SHG and OPO.
  • Electro-Optic Modulators (EOMs): High E-O coefficients make LN Crystals ideal for Pockel cells and Q-switches used in laser modulation and communication.
  • Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Wafers: A fundamental material for high-frequency waveguides in modern communication systems.
  • Acousto-Optic Devices: LN Crystals are integral in light diffraction and modulation systems.

Example: LN Crystal-based QPM devices have been used to achieve highly efficient wavelength conversion at 1064 nm for green light generation with a low operational threshold.

Chemical and Structural Properties

Property

Value

Crystal Structure

Trigonal, Space Group R3c

Lattice Parameter

a = 5.148 Å, c = 13.863 Å

Melting Point

1253°C

Curie Temperature

1140°C

Mohs Hardness

5

Density

4.64 g/cm³

Elastic Stiffness Coefficients

C₁₁ = 2.33 × 10¹¹ N/m²

 

C₁₂ = 2.77 × 10¹¹ N/m²

Optical and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Property

Value

Transparency Range

420 – 5200 nm

Optical Homogeneity

~5 x 10⁻⁵ cm

Refractive Indices

nₑ = 2.156, nₒ = 2.232 at 1064 nm

 

nₑ = 2.146, nₒ = 2.220 at 1300 nm

NLO Coefficients

d₃₁ = 86 × dₓ (KDP)

 

d₃₃ = 37.84 pm/V

Effective NLO Coefficients

dₑff = d₁₁cosθcos²ϕcos3φ

Damage Threshold

100 MW/cm² (1064 nm, 10 ns)

Standard Fabrication Specifications

Property

Specification

Dimension Tolerance

(W ± 0.1 mm) x (H ± 0.1 mm) x (L ± 0.2 mm)

Angle Tolerance

Δθ ≤ 0.25°, Δφ ≤ 0.25°

Parallelism

< 20 arc seconds

Perpendicularity

< 5 arc minutes

Surface Quality (Scratch/Dig)

20/10 to MIL-PRF-13830B

Surface Flatness

λ/8 @ 633 nm

Wavefront Distortion

λ/8 @ 633 nm

Damage Threshold

100 MW/cm² @ 1064 nm (10 ns)

Spectrum Transmission Curve:

The LN Crystal exhibits transparency across the 420–5200 nm range, making it suitable for tunable laser systems.

Coating Specification:

  • Dual Band AR Coating (DBAR): Low reflectance (R < 0.2% @ 1064 nm, R < 0.5% @ 532 nm).
  • Custom Coatings: Available upon request for electro-optic (E-O) or acousto-optic (A-O) applications.
  • Gold/Chrome Plating: For specific high-durability and high-power applications.
  • Adhesion Test Compliant with MIL-C-675C military standards, an adhesion test involved applying a tape that meets LT-90 specifications onto the lens film layer. The tape was affixed fully and then removed vertically. This procedure was performed three times, resulting in no blistering or peeling.
  • Temperature Test In line with MIL-C-675C specifications, test pieces were subjected to temperatures of -62±1℃ and 71±1℃. After maintaining them at room temperature (16℃~32℃) for two hours, the adhesion test was repeated, confirming no film detachment.
  • Abrasion Resistance Test Conforming to MIL-C-675C and CCC-C-440 standards, the abrasion resistance test involved a gauze tester applying a minimum force of 1.0 lbs (0.45 kg) to the film. This was repeated 25 times with gauze widths of 1/4 inch (6.4mm) and 3/8 inch (9.5mm), ensuring no damage occurred to the film surface.
  • Humidity Test Under MIL-C-675C criteria, the test piece was placed in a controlled temperature and humidity chamber set to 49 ±2℃ and 95%~100% humidity for 24 hours. The film remained intact, with no peeling, scratches, or other defects.
  • Solvent and Cleaning Testing Following MIL-C-675C specifications, test pieces were exposed to room temperature conditions (16℃~32℃) and tested with acetone and alcohol for at least 10 minutes each. After air drying and subsequent cleaning with a cotton cloth soaked in alcohol, the film surface showed no signs of peeling or scratches.
  • Salt Spray Test After 100 hours in a 35°C environment with a 5% saltwater concentration, the film showed no signs of damage.

 

  • High monthly production capacity: 50,000 to 100,000 pcs/month for Pockel cells and SAW wafers.
  • Precision testing for quality control.
  • Rapid delivery with standard lead times of 15 working days.
  • Technical support for custom applications.
  • Scalable pricing based on volume.

Standard Products

Product Code

Dimensions (mm)

Coating Type

Application

Price (USD)

LN-C1

10 x 10 x 10

AR @ 1064/532 nm

SHG/OPO

$150

LN-C2

15 x 15 x 20

DBAR @ 1064/532 nm

Electro-Optic Modulation

$200

LN-Custom

Custom Dimensions

Custom Coatings

Tailored Applications

On Request

POC-OC-122410-LN Crystal

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