Characterization of KNbO(3) crystal for frequency doubling of a tunable pulsed near-infrared laser

Using KNbO(3) crystals for second-harmonic generation in the blue spectral range, we have obtained conversion efficiencies as high as 53.7%. To our knowledge this value is the highest reported for a pulsed laser. A gainswitched nanosecond Ti:sapphire oscillator, amplified by a Cr:LiSrAlF(6) multipass amplifier, was used as the fundamental light source. The maximum energy obtained at the harmonic wavelength of 430 nm was 38 mJ for a bandwidth of 230 MHz.