Nonlinear Crystals: CLBO

Description

CLBO (Cesium Lithium Borate) is a nonlinear crystal that is used in laser technology for frequency conversion. CLBO has a high nonlinear coefficient, a wide transparency range, and a relatively high damage threshold, making it an efficient material for second harmonic generation (SHG), sum frequency generation (SFG), and difference frequency generation (DFG).

In SHG, the frequency of a laser beam is doubled by passing it through a CLBO crystal. This process is used to generate light in the ultraviolet range, which is useful in applications such as fluorescence microscopy and laser spectroscopy.

SFG involves combining two laser beams of different wavelengths to create a new beam with a frequency equal to the sum of the input frequencies. CLBO is often used as the nonlinear crystal in SFG because of its high efficiency and low absorption. SFG is used in a range of applications, including in Raman spectroscopy and in the production of visible and ultraviolet light.

DFG produces a new frequency that is equal to the difference between two input frequencies. CLBO can be used in DFG to generate tunable infrared radiation, which has applications in spectroscopy, sensing, and imaging.

One advantage of CLBO is its high damage threshold, which makes it suitable for high-power laser applications. It is also relatively easy to grow, which makes it a cost-effective option for many applications. Additionally, CLBO has a wide transparency range, which makes it useful for a range of wavelengths.

However, CLBO is a hygroscopic crystal, which means it can absorb moisture from the air, affecting its performance. Careful handling and storage are required to maintain the crystal's quality.

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