A. E. Kokh

LBO: optical properties and potential for THz application

High quality lithium borate (LBO) samples cut along (1 0 0), (0 1 0) and (0 0 1) axes were studied by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz TDS) between 0.2–3 THz. It was found that in the direction of crystallographic axis X the optical absorption coefficient is the lowest amongst all known anisotropic nonlinear crystals, and that birefringence is as large as 0.42. Dispersion equations for the entire transparency range of LBO were developed for the first time. Phase matching for down-conversion into the THz range was found to be possible. Phase matching availability, low optical loss in the transparency band, and high optical damage threshold make LBO one of the most promising nonlinear materials for THz generation.

Optical properties of β-BBO and potential for THz applications

The anisotropy of optical properties of high quality beta barium borate crystal (β-BaB2O4, β-BBO) was studied in the main transparency window by using classic spectroscopic methods and in the range of 0.2 – 2 THz by using THz time-domain spectroscopy. β-BBO crystals were grown by the top-seeded solution technique in a highly resistive furnace with a heat field of 3-fold axis symmetry. At room temperature (RT), absorption coefficient in the maximal transparency window in grown crystals did not exceed 0.05 cm-1. Strong absorption anisotropy was observed in 3 – 5 μm and the THz range. At 1 THz absorption coefficients for e and o wave were, respectively, 7 cm-1 and 21 cm-1 at RT; 2 cm-1 and 10 cm-1 at 81 K. At the most attractive for out-of-door applications range < 0.4 THz the absorption coefficient is found to be very low: below 0.2 cm-1 at RT and 1 cm-1 at 81 K. Refractive indices dispersions measured by THz-TDS were approximated in the form of Sellmeier equations. Birefringence is found quite large for phase matched difference frequency generation (DFG) or down-conversion into the THz range (THz-DFG) under near IR pump at RT and 81 K. Type II (oe-o and eo-o), and type I (ee-e) three wave interactions can be realized at RT. THz-DFG of Nd:YAG laser and KTP OPO can be realized by type II (oe-o) three-wave interaction. For selected spectral ranges of femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser efficient phase matched and group velocity matched optical rectification can be realized by another two types of three wave interactions. Accounting other well-known attractive physical properties of β-BBO crystal, wide application in THz technique can be forecasted.