Recent progress of second harmonic generation based on thin film lithium niobate [Invited]

Recently, nonlinear photonics has attracted considerable interest. Among the nonlinear effects, second harmonic generation(SHG) remains a hot research topic. The recent development of thin film lithium niobate(TFLN) technology has superior performances to the conventional counterparts. Herein, this review article reveals the recent progress of SHG based on TFLN and its integrated photonics. We mainly discuss and compare the different techniques of TFLN-based structures to boost the nonlinear performances assisted by localizing light in nanostructures and structured waveguides.Moreover, our conclusions and perspectives indicate that more efficient methods need to be further explored for higher SHG conversion efficiency on the TFLN platform.     

Temperature-dependent second harmonic generation process based on an MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide

The temperature dependency of a 5-mol% MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide was investigated in this paper. We started with the temperature-dependent refractive index equation for the waveguide. Secondly, the temperature dependency of the second harmonic generation effect was experimentally researched under different temperatures and pump powers. The quasi-phase matched wavelengths, efficiency bandwidths and peak efficiencies of the waveguide were measured. The experimental results agreed with theoretical simulations, which are indispensable in the following all-optical sampling studies based on the cascaded second harmonic generation/difference-frequency generation process in the current device.     

Efficient second harmonic generation in silicon covered lithium niobate waveguides

We theoretically propose a hybrid lithium niobate(LN) thin-film waveguide that consists of an amorphous silicon stripe and etch-free z-cut LN for highly efficient wavelength conversion, circumventing the challenging etching on LN material.Profiting from the spatial symmetry breaking of the waveguide, the asymmetric hybrid modes can spontaneously achieve phase matching with small modal area and large spatial mode overlap, enabling enhanced second harmonic generation with a normalized conversion efficiency over 3900% W~(-1)· cm~(-2)(0.5-mm-long propagation distance). The choice of integrating silicon with LN alleviates the fabrication challenge, making the platform potentially compatible with silicon photonics.     

Efficient second and third harmonic generation in dual-layer lithium niobate microdisk resonator

Lithium niobate thin film frequency doubler has extensive applications in the preparation of classical and quantum sources.In this study,we successfully fabricated microdisk resonators with a quality factor of 2.2×10⁵ in reverse-polarization dual-layer x-cut lithium niobate for the first time.Based on the modal phase matching condition,efficient second harmonic generation with a record normalized conversion efficiency of ～56000% W^-1 and cascaded third harmonic generation wi...     

Ultraviolet quasi-phase-matched second harmonic generation in surface periodically poled lithium niobate optical waveguides

The compatibility of low concentration (α-phase) proton exchange channel waveguides with electric field surface periodic poling of congruent lithium niobate (SPPLN) crystals has been experimentally demonstrated. With such waveguides, we obtained ultraviolet second harmonic generation (SHG) by first order quasi-phase-matching (QPM), a result made possible by the fabrication, on Z-cut LN crystals, of periodic structures with a pitch down to 750 nm. Nonlinear copropagating QPM-SHG measurements have been carried out on such structures. The pump source was a Ti:sapphire laser with a tunability range of 700–980 nm and a 40 GHz linewidth. We have measured UV continuous wave light at 390 nm by means of a lock-in amplifier and a photodiode with an enhanced response in the UV. The measured conversion efficiency was about 1% W^?1 cm^?2.     

激光热效应对PPLN晶体倍频效率的影响

从准相位失配关系出发,研究了PPLN晶体倍频效率与温度的关系,针对温度对折射率与极化周期的影响,分析了激光热效应对准相位匹配系统谐波转换过程的影响。采用有限元分析法计算了PPLN材料内部温度分布状况,并对热效应影响下晶体内部倍频效率变化情况进行了计算。计算结果表明：在不同基频光功率密度下,在倍频过程中晶体温度及通光方向截面折射率的分布不同,在倍频晶体出射面倍频效率的分布也不同;随基频光功率密度增大,晶体整体温度与折射率增大,出射端面倍频效率分布随基频光功率密度变化而变化;与理想条件倍频系统相比,激光热效应对晶体倍频效率有一定的影响。     

Theoretical analysis of electromagnetic field distribution and Cerenkov second harmonic generation conversion efficiency based on lithium niobate ion-implanted channel waveguide

Cerenkov type second harmonic generation (CSHG) is proposed in ion-implanted Z-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) channel waveguides. We have obtained exact analytical solutions for the field distribution and the power of second-harmonic waves. Conditions for attaining higher conversion efficiency are discussed on the basis of numerical calculations.     

Analytical solution to incident angle quasi-phase-matching engineering for second harmonic generation in a periodic-poled lithium niobate crystal

Phase matching or quasi-phase matching(QPM) is of significant importance to the conversion efficiency of second harmonic generation(SHG) in artificial nonlinear crystals like lithium niobate(LN) crystal or microstructured nonlinear crystals like periodic-poled lithium niobate(PPLN) crystals. In this paper, we propose and show that the incident angle of pump laser light can be harnessed as an alternative versatile tool to engineer QPM for high-efficiency SHG in a PPLN crystal, in addition to conv...     

Theoretical analysis of the TE mode Cerenkov type second harmonic generation in ion-implanted X-cut lithium niobate channel waveguides

Optical second harmonic generation (SHG) in the form of Cerenkov radiation from ion-implanted lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) channel waveguides is analyzed by directly resolving the wave equations. Useful formula of the SHG efficiency is derived and expressed in terms of waveguide parameters. Numerical examples are plotted for LiNbO₃ crystals. The results enable the optimization of waveguide design for efficient second harmonic generation in the Cerenkov configuration.     

Periodically poled lithium niobate structures grown by the off-center Czochralski technique for backward and forward second harmonic generation

We report on the characterization of periodically poled lithium niobate structures grown by the off-center Czochralski technique with periods ranging between 2 and . The domains distribution along the crystal was inspected by a profilometer scan after etching the structures and carrying a suitable data processing. The second harmonic generation efficiency was predicted by numerically integrating the governing equations through to a recently proposed nonlinear bidirectional beam propagation method. The numerical analysis pointed out the feasibility of the backward second harmonic generation in the sample with the shortest domain period. The predicted second harmonic generation efficiency was finally corrected considering the phase shifts induced in the second harmonic wave by the presence of different sized domains.     

Magnetization-induced anisotropy of second harmonic generation in thin cobalt films

Magnetization-induced effects in the symmetry properties of optical second harmonic generation (SHG) are studied in thin cobalt films. We demonstrate that the application of an external magnetic field leads to the appearance of a strong SHG azimuthal anisotropy from the isotropic Au/Co structure. Symmetry analysis of the SHG dependencies, supported by the SHG interferometry measurements, indicates that the effective magnetic and crystallographic second-order susceptibilities are both of the same order of magnitude.     

Second harmonic generation in a high-Q lithium niobate microresonator fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining

We report on second harmonic generation(SHG) in on-chip high-Q(105) lithium niobate(Li Nb O3, LN) microresonators fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining. We examine the efficiency of SHG with either a continuous-wave(CW) or an ultrashort pulsed pump laser. The normalized conversion efficiencies of SHG obtained with the CW and pulsed pump lasers are measured to be 1.35×10?5 m W?1 and 2.30×10?6 m W?1, respectively.     

Investigation of ferroelectric properties of strontium barium niobate crystals by second harmonic generation technique

The ferroelectric properties of Sr _x Ba_{1 − x} Nb₂O₆ (SBN-x) crystals have been investigated using noncollinear (diffuse) second harmonic generation of IR radiation converted by a disordered domain structure. The switching characteristics have been determined from the dependences of the second harmonic intensity I _2ω(t) and I _2ω(E) for the SBN-0.75 crystals. These characteristics are in good agreement with the results of measurements by traditional methods and exhibit a number of specific features (long polarization relaxation times, irreproducibility of the shape of hysteresis loops, low-frequency dependence of the quantity E _c ) associated with the relaxor nature of SBN solid solutions. The kinetics of the diffuse second harmonic generation can be described in the framework of the phenomenological approach to polarization relaxation processes in relaxor ferroelectrics. The intensity of the diffuse second harmonic in switching is determined by the parameters (duration, amplitude) of the switching field pulse.     

银膜及其表面吸附吡啶分子的二次谐波产生

利用调QYAG激光器的1.06μm激光在银膜表面获得非表面等离子体激元增强效应的二次谐波产生。研究了银膜表面由于吸附吡啶分子而引起的表面二次谐波信号变化。应用表面二次谐波产生的方法首次验证了在常温常压下一定厚度的银膜对吡啶分子仍具有一定的吸附能力。     

铌酸锂薄膜调制器的研究进展

铌酸锂薄膜调制器具有体积小、带宽高、半波电压低的优点,在光纤通讯和光纤传感领域具有重要应用价值,是近年来的研究热点。本文梳理了铌酸锂薄膜调制器的波导结构、耦合结构、电极结构的研究进展,总结了LN薄膜波导的制备工艺,并深入分析了不同结构调制器的性能。基于SOI和LNOI结构,薄膜调制器实现了V_πL<2 V·cm,双锥形耦合方案实现了耦合损耗<0.5 dB/facet,行波电极结构实现了调制带宽>100 GHz。铌酸锂薄膜调制器的性能在大多数方面优于目前商用铌酸锂调制器,随着波导工艺进一步提升,将成为铌酸锂调制器的热门方案。最后对铌酸锂薄膜调制器的发展趋势和应用前景进行了展望。     

Angle-tuned second-harmonic generation in periodically-poled lithium niobate

We investigated angular tuning of quasi-phase-matching (QPM) second-harmonic generation (SHG), in order to extend the tunable range of QPM and to combine the advantages of QPM and birefringence phase-matching. The direction of the input fundamental wave vector was detuned from the QPM grating vector along the crystallographic Z-axis of a periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal in the XY- and XZ-planes. A?larger tuning range of SHG was obtained for the detuning in the XZ-plane, continuously shifting the QPM peak of the fundamental wavelength from 1524 to 1595?nm by changing the detuning angle from 0° (parallel to X-axis as conventional QPM) to 23.2°.