Lithium Triborate (LiB3O5), commonly referred to as LBO, is a highly effective nonlinear optical crystal widely used in laser systems for frequency conversion applications such as second harmonic generation (SHG), third harmonic generation (THG), sum-frequency generation (SFG), and optical parametric oscillation (OPO). It is prized for its high damage threshold, broad transparency range, and excellent nonlinearity.
Properties of LBO:
- High Damage Threshold: LBO can handle high-power laser beams, making it suitable for high-intensity applications without suffering damage, which is a critical feature for consistent performance in demanding environments.
- Broad Transparency Range: The crystal exhibits transparency from the deep ultraviolet (about 160 nm) to the mid-infrared (about 2600 nm), enabling its use across a wide range of wavelengths.
- High Nonlinear Optical Coefficients: LBO offers good nonlinear coefficients, facilitating efficient frequency conversion. It is particularly effective for non-critical phase matching (NCPM), which allows for temperature tuning without angle tuning.
- Low Absorption and Scattering: The optical quality of LBO is excellent, with low absorption and scattering losses, which contribute to its efficiency in laser systems.
Applications of LBO:
- Frequency Doubling and Tripling: LBO is extensively used for doubling and tripling the frequency of Nd:YAG lasers (from 1064 nm to 532 nm and 355 nm, respectively). This is crucial for applications requiring visible and UV light, such as in photolithography, medical diagnostics, and spectroscopy.
- Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs): The broad tuning capabilities of LBO make it ideal for use in OPOs, which require a nonlinear crystal that can generate a wide range of output wavelengths from a fixed input wavelength.
- Laser Spectroscopy: The ability to efficiently generate different wavelengths makes LBO a good choice for various spectroscopic techniques, which rely on interactions of light with substances to identify and quantify them.
- Medical and Industrial Applications: In medical applications, such as dermatological treatments and surgical procedures, LBO is used for its ability to precisely convert laser light into the specific wavelengths needed. Similarly, in industrial settings, it’s used for materials processing and precision machining.
The growth and processing of LBO crystals require careful control to ensure crystal purity and homogeneity. These qualities are vital to maintain the high performance and reliability expected in sophisticated optical and laser systems. LBO’s robustness and versatility make it a cornerstone in the field of nonlinear optics, supporting a variety of high-tech applications.
Shapeoptics is Able to Offer
- Size upto 30 x 30 x 30mm
- Length from 0.02mm～60mm
- Coating upon your request
LBO or Lithium Triborate (LiB3O5) is an excellent nonlinear optical crystal. It has broad transparency range from 160nm to 2600nm high optical homogeneity (dn > 10-6/cm), large effective SHG coeffi- cient about three times greater than that of KDP crystal, and high damage threshold, good chemical and mechanical properties.
Shapeoptics offers a comprehensive range of materials and advanced equipment for custom and OEM optical components, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in manufacturing lenses, prisms, windows, and more. We utilize high-quality materials like UV and IR grade fused silica, Germanium, and ZnSe, among others. Our state-of-the-art techniques and equipment minimize waste and optimize delivery times. Our in-house capabilities include standard and custom coatings across the UV-NIR spectrum, ensuring high quality and compliance with all industry standards. For precision and reliability in optics, contact Shapeoptics for your next project.
