BaF2 Optical Crystals For Cross-Polarized Wave Generation

31 Jan 2014

EKSMA OPTICS introduces [011] orientation BaF2 optical crystals (XPW crystals) for Cross-Polarized Wave generation.

Cross-Polarized Wave (XPW) generation is a nonlinear third order process whereas fundamental and generated waves have the same frequency however generated wave is perpendicularly polarized to pump wave polarization. Phase matching occurs over large bandwidth in XPW generation process. This means the same phase and group velocities for fundamental wave and XPW.

The typical optical material used for cross-polarized wave (XPW) generation is Barium Fluoride (BaF2) crystal with z ([001]) or holographic ([011]) crystallographic orientation. Theory predicts a maximum XPW energy convercion efficiency around 35% when using [011]-cut BaF2 crystal with a concomitant pulse shortening factor of √3 corresponding to a pure third-order nonlinear process.