Introduction

Compared with LiNbO₃ crystal, MgO:LiNbO₃ crystal exhibits its particular advantages for NCPM frequency doubling (SHG) of Nd:Lasers, mixing (SFG) and optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). The SHG efficiencies of over 65% for pulsed Nd:YAG lasers and 45% for cw Nd:YAG lasers have been achieved by MgO: LiNbO₃ crystals, respectively. MgO: LiNbO₃ is also a good crystal for optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) and amplifiers (OPAs), quasi-phase-matched doubler and integrated waveguide.

MgO:LiNbO₃ is characterized by:

• High damage threshold;
• Non-critical phase matching (NCPM) at room temperature;
• Broad transparency range;
• Excellent E-O and NLO properties;
• Good mechanical and chemical properties.

MgO: LiNbO3 has similar effective nonlinear coefficient to pure LiNbO3. Its Sellmeier equations (for 5 mol% MgO dopant) are (λ in µm):

                             n_o² (λ)=4.8762+0.11554/(λ²-0.04674)-0.033119λ²

                             n_e²(λ)=4.5469+0.094779/(λ²-0.04439)-0.026721λ²

CASTECH offers high quality MgO:LiNbO₃ with custom dimensions. AR coating is available upon request.