Development of Nonlinear Optical Materials (LBO, BBO, and KTP) for Use in High-Power Lasers

Abstract

This is the final technical report for a three-year project to identify and characterize point defects in single crystals of LiB(3)O(5) (LBO), Beta-BaB(2)O(4) (BBO), KTiOPO(4) (KTP), KH(2)PO(4), and ZnO. These materials are used to generate ultraviolet laser beams, and their performance is often limited by the present of optically active point defects. In this project, we have investigated a variety of electron and hole traps and have shown how they affect the behavior of devices. The experimental techniques used to characterize the crystals were optical absorption, visible photoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), photoinduced EPR, and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR). Industrial collaborators included Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton Airtron Synoptics), Lightwave Electronics, Crystal Associates, Cleveland Crystals, and Crystal Laser. Specific results during this project include (1) a detailed characterization of Ti(3+) centers in KTP, (2) identification of self-trapped hole centers in LBO and BBO crystals, (3) identification of oxygen vacancies as the primary electron trap in LBO, BBO, and KH(2)PO(4) crystals, (4) production of neutral isolated nitrogen acceptors in ZnO crystals, and (5) observation of Ag(0) atoms and Ag(2+) ions after diffusion of silver into BBO crystals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 15, 2003
Accession Number
ADA418265

Entities

People

  • Larry E. Halliburton
  • N. C. Giles

Organizations

  • West Virginia University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Crystals
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electron Nuclear Double Resonance
  • Electron Paramagnetic Resonance
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Materials
  • Optical Absorption
  • Optical Materials
  • Paramagnetic Resonance
  • Point Defects
  • Radiation
  • Resonance
  • Subatomic Particles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics