Antireflection microstructures fabricated on the surface of a LiGaSe₂ nonlinear crystal

LiGaSe₂ is a propitious material for nonlinear parametric conversion in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) range. Its refractive index of n = 2.25 in the 2-12 µm wavelength range results in significant losses due to Fresnel reflection. However, the conventional method of increasing the transmittance with antireflection coatings (ARCs) significantly reduces the damage threshold of the material. Fabrication of the antireflection microstructures (ARMs) is an alternative approach for increasing the surface transmittance. In this work, ARMs were fabricated on the surface of a LiGaSe₂ crystal using a single-pulse femtosecond laser ablation method. An average transmittance of 97.2% in the 2-8 µm spectral range and the maximum transmittance of 98.6% at 4.1 µm were achieved.