Beta-Barium Borate (β-BaB2O4), commonly referred to as BBO, is a nonlinear optical crystal renowned for its wide transparency range and high damage threshold, making it ideal for high-power laser applications, including frequency doubling and parametric oscillation.
Properties of BBO:
- Wide Transparency Range: BBO has an extensive transparency range from about 190 nm to 3500 nm, which covers the ultraviolet to the infrared spectrum.
- High Nonlinear Optical Coefficients: It possesses high nonlinear optical coefficients, facilitating efficient frequency conversion processes like second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG).
- High Damage Threshold: BBO can withstand high laser intensities, making it suitable for high-power applications without sustaining damage.
- Phase Matching Capabilities: BBO allows for non-critical phase matching (NCPM), which is advantageous for maintaining the efficiency of frequency conversion processes over a range of temperatures and wavelengths.
Applications of BBO:
- Frequency Doubling and Tripling: BBO is widely used to double (convert to half wavelength) and triple (convert to one-third wavelength) the frequency of laser light. This is crucial in applications requiring UV light, such as laser spectroscopy, lithography, and photochemistry.
- Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs): The broad tuning capabilities of BBO make it suitable for OPOs, where it is used to generate widely tunable outputs from UV to near-IR.
- High-Precision Laser Applications: BBO’s ability to handle high-power densities and its high nonlinearity make it ideal for precise cutting, machining, and material processing where fine control over laser parameters is required.
- Quantum Optics: BBO is also used in experiments involving quantum entanglement and other quantum optics applications, due to its capability to efficiently generate photon pairs through spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC).
The manufacturing of BBO crystals involves specialized growth processes, typically using the Czochralski method, to ensure crystal purity and optical homogeneity. This process is crucial for achieving the desired optical properties and performance in nonlinear applications. The crystal’s robustness, coupled with its excellent nonlinear and optical properties, makes BBO a staple in advanced laser and optical research and development.
Shapeoptics is Able to Offer
- Size upto 15 x 15 x 15mm
- Length from 0.02mm～25mm
- Coating upon your request
BBO crystal or Beta-Barium Borate (β-BaB2O4) has large effective second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient about 6 times greater than that of KDP crystal, as well as excellent electro-optic crystal applied in the application of high power laser system at working wavelength from 200nm to 2500nm, such as a Q-switching CW di- ode pumped Nd:YAG laser and so on.
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.
