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Linear electro-optic properties of YCa4O(BO3)3.
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-482, University of California, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551, USA.
Optics Letters
|August 29, 2003
Summary
Yttrium calcium oxyborate (YCOB) crystals exhibit promising electro-optic properties, with potential applications in high-power optical switching. Their moderate coefficients and excellent thermomechanical stability make them suitable for demanding laser systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics and Photonics
- Solid State Physics
Background:
- The electro-optic effect is crucial for optical modulation and switching.
- Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) and its deuterated form (DKDP) are standard electro-optic crystals.
- Yttrium calcium oxyborate (YCOB) and its isomorphs are being explored for advanced optical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the effective linear electro-optic coefficients of YCOB crystals.
- To compare YCOB's electro-optic performance with established materials like KDP and DKDP.
- To evaluate YCOB's suitability for high-average-power electro-optic switches.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of effective linear electro-optic coefficients (r_eff) at 632.8 nm.
- Utilized transverse and longitudinal electric field configurations.
- Compared YCOB coefficients against reference crystals (KH2PO4 and KD2PO4).
Main Results:
- Maximum r_eff of 10.8 ± 1.4 pm/V for YCOB in a transverse configuration (electric field along Z/gamma axis).
- Effective coefficients of 10.7 ± 1.0 pm/V and 3.4 ± 0.4 pm/V in longitudinal configurations.
- Other transverse configurations yielded r_eff values below 3 pm/V.
Conclusions:
- YCOB possesses moderate electro-optic coefficients, comparable to KDP.
- Excellent thermomechanical properties combined with these coefficients suggest YCOB's potential for high-average-power electro-optic switches.
- YCOB and its isomorphs are promising candidates for demanding photonic applications.