Birefringent- and quasi phase-matching with BaMgF4 for vacuum-UV/UV and mid-IR all solid-state lasers

BaMgF(4) is a ferroelectric fluoride which shows a very wide transparency range extending from 125 nm to 13 microm. The conjunction of these properties confers to BaMgF(4) a unique chance for optical applications in the UV and mid-IR wavelength regions, where other nonlinear materials cannot be used. In particular its application as frequency converter in all solid-state lasers is considered. The wavelength dispersion of the refractive indices along the three optical principal axes is measured in the transparent region, and the Sellmeier coefficients for the three refractive indices are determined. The conditions for nonlinear optical processes are calculated for birefringent-matching and quasi phase-matching, with special emphasis in the UV and IR wavelength regions. Quasi phase-matching can be achieved in the whole transparent wavelength region, in contrast to birefringent-matching, which can be obtained in a limited range 573-5634 nm. First demonstration of second harmonic generation by quasi phase-matching with a ferroelectric fluoride is shown by frequency-doubling the emissions of a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser and a tunable Ti:sapphire laser. The shortest emission is obtained in the UV at 368 nm, indicating the potential of BaMgF(4) as nonlinear medium for the fabrication of all solid-state lasers in the vacuum-UV/UV and mid-IR wavelength regions.