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Direct Deep-UV Second-Harmonic Generation in Disordered Χ2-Modulated Ferroelectric Crystals
Yabo Wu1,2, Chen Cui1,2, Guopeng Han1,2
1Research Center for Crystal Materials, CAS Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices for Special Environmental Conditions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|September 8, 2025
Summary
Researchers discovered LiKSO4 (LPS) crystals enable efficient deep-ultraviolet (DUV) frequency conversion. This ferroelectric material supports random quasi-phase matching for DUV radiation generation.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Nonlinear Optics
Background:
- Generating coherent deep-ultraviolet (DUV) radiation is a significant challenge in modern optics.
- Few nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, like KBBF, ABF, and quartz, support second-harmonic generation (SHG) below 177 nm.
- Developing new materials for efficient DUV frequency conversion is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore LiKSO4 (LPS) as a novel NLO material for DUV frequency conversion.
- To investigate the potential of LPS for random quasi-phase matching (RQPM) in the DUV region.
- To demonstrate DUV SHG generation using LPS crystals.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of LiKSO4 (LPS) crystal structure and ferroelectric properties.
- Experimental demonstration of DUV random quasi-phase matching (RQPM) in LPS.
- Nanosecond pulsed laser pumping at 355 nm to achieve second-harmonic generation (SHG).
Main Results:
- LiKSO4 (LPS) exhibits an intrinsically disordered nonlinear optical (NLO) structure enabling DUV RQPM down to 163 nm.
- An x-cut LPS crystal achieved SHG output at 177 nm with 3.1 µJ energy and 0.11% conversion efficiency.
- The study demonstrates broad spectral range DUV frequency conversion capability.
Conclusions:
- LiKSO4 (LPS) is a promising NLO material for efficient DUV frequency conversion.
- RQPM in disordered NLO crystals offers a viable strategy for DUV generation.
- This research opens new avenues for developing advanced DUV optical sources.
