POC-OC-122411-MgO LiNb03 Crystal

  • High resistance to optical damage with enhanced photorefractive properties.
  • Broad transparency range: 400 nm to 5000 nm, ideal for SHG and THG applications.
  • Excellent nonlinear optical properties with high electro-optic coefficients.
  • Stable performance at high power and high temperature, suitable for QPM applications.
  • Non-hygroscopic, robust mechanical and chemical stability for long-term reliability.

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

Material General Description of  MgO LiNb03 Crystal 

Magnesium-doped Lithium Niobate (MgO:LiNbO₃) crystal is a widely used nonlinear optical material with enhanced optical and thermal properties. The doping of MgO increases its resistance to photorefractive damage, making it ideal for high-power laser systems and frequency conversion applications. MgO:LiNbO₃ exhibits a broad transparency range from 400 nm to 5000 nm and maintains exceptional nonlinear optical and electro-optic coefficients. This crystal is a preferred choice for second-harmonic generation (SHG), third-harmonic generation (THG), and quasi-phase-matched (QPM) applications, such as periodically poled MgO:LiNbO₃ (PPMgO:LN) devices. Furthermore, its non-hygroscopic nature and excellent mechanical and chemical stability ensure consistent performance over extended usage periods, making it suitable for both scientific research and industrial applications.

  1. MgO:LiNb03 Crystal  General Applications and Examples

MgO:LiNbO₃ crystals are versatile and widely used in the following applications:

  1. Frequency Doubling (SHG):
    • MgO:LiNbO₃ is an ideal material for doubling the frequency of Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO₄ lasers, producing green light at 532 nm.
    • It is also effective for blue laser generation at 473 nm via SHG of 946 nm lasers.
  2. Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs):
    • This material is extensively used in OPOs to generate tunable mid-infrared radiation for spectroscopy, imaging, and environmental sensing.
    • MgO doping ensures higher damage resistance and stable operation at high power levels.
  3. Quasi-Phase-Matched Devices (QPM):
    • PPMgO:LiNbO₃ devices enhance wavelength conversion efficiency by leveraging periodic domain inversion.
    • Commonly applied in telecom, bio-imaging, and THz wave generation.
  4. Electro-Optic Modulators (EOMs):
    • High electro-optic coefficients make MgO:LiNbO₃ suitable for Q-switches, Pockel cells, and phase modulators.
    • Frequently used in fiber optic systems and high-speed communication networks.
  5. Terahertz (THz) Wave Generation:
    • MgO:LiNbO₃ is used for efficient THz generation, offering a wide bandwidth for imaging and spectroscopy applications.

Chemical and Structural Properties

Property

Value

Crystal Structure

Trigonal, Space Group R3c

Lattice Parameter

a = 5.149 Å, c = 13.863 Å

MgO Doping Concentration

5 mol%

Melting Point

1253°C

Density

4.64 g/cm³

Mohs Hardness

5

Thermal Expansion Coefficient

15 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Thermal Conductivity

~38 W/(m·K) at 25°C

Resistivity

~10¹³ Ω·cm at 200°C

Optical and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Property

Value

Transparency Range

400 nm – 5000 nm

Refractive Indices (1064 nm)

nₒ = 2.286, nₑ = 2.232

Electro-Optic Coefficients

r₃₃ = 32 pm/V, r₁₃ = 8.6 pm/V

NLO Coefficients

d₃₁ = 6.0 pm/V, d₃₃ = 25 pm/V

Effective NLO Coefficient

dₑff = d₃₃ cosθ cos²ϕ cos3φ

Damage Threshold

150 MW/cm² (10 ns, 1064 nm)

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)

10/5

Surface Flatness

λ/8 @ 633 nm

Wavefront Distortion

λ/8 @ 633 nm

Damage Threshold

> 150 MW/cm² @ 1064 nm

Spectrum Transmission Curve:

MgO:LiNbO₃ provides broad transmission from UV to mid-IR (400 nm – 5000 nm), supporting versatile laser systems for SHG, OPO, and THG applications.

Coating Specification:

  • AR Coatings:
    • Available for specific wavelengths (e.g., 532 nm, 1064 nm).
    • Dual-band AR coating ensures low reflectance (<0.2% @ 1064 nm and <0.5% @ 532 nm).
  • Custom Coatings:
    • Gold or chrome plating for enhanced durability.
    • Custom anti-reflective or highly reflective coatings available upon request.
  • 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.

 

POC Strength and Capabilities

  • Precision quality control for high-power laser systems.
  • Dedicated production capacity for custom PPMgO:LiNbO₃ devices.
  • Robust R&D support for advanced photonics applications.
  • Fast lead times with global shipping support.

Standard Products

Product Code

Dimensions (mm)

Coating Type

Application

Price (USD)

MgO-LN-01

10 x 10 x 1

AR @ 1064/532 nm

SHG, OPO

$180

MgO-LN-02

15 x 15 x 2

DBAR @ 1064/532 nm

Electro-Optic Modulation

$250

MgO-LN-Custom

Custom Dimensions

Custom Coatings

Tailored Applications

On Request