BBO (Beta Barium Borate) Crystals
- Broad Transparency Window: 189 nm to 3500 nm, covering UV, visible, and near-IR
- Wide Phase-Matching Range: Supports multiple nonlinear optical processes
- High Damage Threshold: ~1 GW/cm² for 1064 nm, 10 ns pulses
- High Nonlinear Coefficients: Ensures efficient frequency conversion
- Low Birefringence Walk-Off: Enhances conversion efficiency
- Excellent Thermal and Mechanical Stability: Reliable under high-power laser operations
- Chemical Stability: Resistant to atmospheric moisture under normal use
- Customizable Phase Matching: Optimized for specific laser wavelengths and conversion processes
Custom products or bulk orders, please contact us for competitive pricing!
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Description
BBO (Beta Barium Borate, β-BaB₂O₄) is a widely used nonlinear optical crystal known for its exceptional properties such as a broad phase-matching range, wide transparency window, high damage threshold, excellent chemical and mechanical stability, and superior nonlinear optical coefficients.
BBO crystals are ideal for frequency conversion applications including second harmonic generation (SHG), third harmonic generation (THG), optical parametric oscillators (OPO), optical parametric amplifiers (OPA), and electro-optic modulation. They are indispensable in high-power laser systems, tunable laser sources, ultrafast laser systems, and advanced photonics research.
Crystal Structure and Orientation:
- Chemical Formula: β-BaB₂O₄
- Crystal System: Trigonal (R3c space group)
- Transparency Range: 189 nm – 3500 nm
- Refractive Indices (at 1064 nm):
- no = 1.657
- ne = 1.542
- Nonlinear Coefficient (effective d_eff): ~2.0 pm/V
- Phase Matching Types: Type I and Type II
- Melting Point: ~1095 °C
- Hardness (Mohs): ~4.5
- Density: 3.85 g/cm³
- Available Cuts and Orientations:
- Type I (o → e + e)
- Type II (e → o + e or e + o)
- Custom phase-matching angles optimized for SHG, THG, OPO, etc.
Key Properties and Advantages:
- Broad Transparency Window: 189 nm to 3500 nm, covering UV, visible, and near-IR
- Wide Phase-Matching Range: Supports multiple nonlinear optical processes
- High Damage Threshold: ~1 GW/cm² for 1064 nm, 10 ns pulses
- High Nonlinear Coefficients: Ensures efficient frequency conversion
- Low Birefringence Walk-Off: Enhances conversion efficiency
- Excellent Thermal and Mechanical Stability: Reliable under high-power laser operations
- Chemical Stability: Resistant to atmospheric moisture under normal use
- Customizable Phase Matching: Optimized for specific laser wavelengths and conversion processes
Typical Applications:
- Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) of Nd:YAG lasers (1064 nm → 532 nm)
- Third Harmonic Generation (THG) and Fourth Harmonic Generation (FHG)
- Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) and Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) devices
- Electro-optic modulators and Q-switches (when doped with MgO or subjected to EO configurations)
- Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) and Difference Frequency Generation (DFG)
- Ultrafast laser pulse generation and amplification
- Tunable visible and infrared light sources
- High-power laser systems for industrial, medical, and scientific applications
- Nonlinear spectroscopy and quantum optics experiments
Specifications:
| Crystal Purity | High optical grade, free of inclusions |
| Phase Matching | Type I and Type II |
| Standard Sizes | 3×3×0.5 mm, 5×5×1 mm, 10×10×1 mm (custom sizes available) |
| Clear Aperture | >90% of diameter |
| Surface Quality | 10-5 scratch/dig (MIL-PRF-13830B) |
| Parallelism | <20 arc seconds |
| Perpendicularity | <5 arc minutes |
| Flatness | λ/8 @ 632.8 nm |
| Coatings | AR coatings available (optimized for specific wavelengths like 1064nm, 532nm, 355nm, etc.) |
| Damage Threshold | >1 GW/cm² at 1064nm, 10 ns pulse |
| Cutting Angle Accuracy | ±0.5° (custom higher precision available) |
Available Sizes and Customization:
- Sizes: 3×3×0.5 mm, 5×5×1 mm, 10×10×1 mm, 15×15×1 mm, custom
- Thickness: 0.1 mm to 5 mm or as specified
- Surface Options:
- Single-side polished (SSP)
- Double-side polished (DSP)
- Phase-Matching Angle: Tailored to laser wavelength (e.g., 1064nm, 800nm, 532nm)
- AR Coatings: Available for standard wavelengths (1064/532/355/266 nm), or custom coating solutions upon request
- Custom Shapes: Rectangular, round, wedge-shaped, prisms
We also offer optically contacted or diffusion-bonded BBO crystals for improved stability under intense laser pumping.
Quality Assurance:
Our BBO crystals are manufactured using strict quality control processes:
- High-precision X-ray orientation alignment
- Optical surface quality checked with interferometry
- Surface damage inspection under high-magnification microscopy
- Coating durability tested according to MIL standards
- Laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) testing available
- Supplied in Class 100 cleanroom packaging
All BBO crystals are accompanied by a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) and testing data upon delivery.
Why Choose Our BBO Crystals?
- Superior optical quality with minimal scattering and absorption
- Consistent high nonlinear conversion efficiency
- Custom design for specific wavelength and phase-matching requirements
- Competitive pricing without compromising performance
- Fast lead times and professional technical support
- Ideal for demanding high-power and ultrafast laser applications
Ordering & Contact Information:
We offer flexible MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), competitive pricing and global shipping. For custom orders or technical inquiries, please contact us for a detailed consultation!
