Nonlinear optical properties of Li2B4O7 (LB4) crystal for the generation of tunable ultra-fast laser radiation by optical parametric amplification

Using a very simple and straightforward approach we derive the condition to be satisfied for achieving wavelength-insensitive broadband phase matching in a type-I noncollinear optical parametric amplifier (NOPA), required for the generation of ultra-fast laser radiation. Nonlinear optical properties of a relatively newly grown crystal Li₂B₄O₇ (LB4) have also been studied and we found that this crystal satisfies the condition required to realize the broadband phase matching and is suited for the generation of tunable visible–near-infrared ultra-fast laser radiation employed in a 395-nm-pumped type-I NOPA. The phase-matching bandwidths of type-I NOPAs in different borate-group crystals, such as BBO, CLBO, and KABO, are also numerically estimated. The values are 157, 164, 152, and 174 THz for 1-mm-thick BBO, CLBO, KABO, and LB4 crystals, with the noncollinear angles between the input pump and the signal beams 3.7°, 3.0°, 3.4°, and 2.9°, respectively, for the signal wavelengths centered at 630 nm. In addition to the largest bandwidth, LB4 crystal has several other attractive properties to be used in optical parametric applications, such as high laser damage threshold, wide optical transmission, easy crystal growth to excellent optical quality with large sizes, easy treatment of cutting and polishing, and nonhygroscopicity. PACS 42.65.Yj; 42.65.Re; 42.70.Mp