| NATIONAL
INSTITUTE for LASER, PLASMA and RADIATION PHYSICS LABORATORY of SOLID-STATE QUANTUM ELECTRONICS |
|
TITLE:
Research
and development of pure and Yb3+- activated nonlinear
optical borate type crystals for the
realization of NEW
compact and tunable high-power visible solid-state laser
sources based on frequency conversion processeS
TITLU:
Cercetarea si dezvoltarea de cristale optic
nelineare
de tip borat pure si activate cu ioni Yb3+ pentru realizarea de noi
surse
laser de mare putere cu emisie in
vizibil, compacte si acordabile, bazate pe procese de conversie de
frecventa
PROJECT ACRONIM: BORATESYB
Domain
of expertise
to which the project belongs: physics
Keywords:
crystal growth,
nonlinear optical materials, second-harmonic generation, self-frequency
doubling, visible laser sources
OBJECTIVE
The
objective of BORATESYB project is to develop pure
and Yb-doped high optical quality and large size YCa4O(BO3)3
(YCOB) and LaxGdySc4-x-y(BO3)4
(LGSB) crystals, optimized for high-power frequency conversion and for
the
realization of new compact
and
tunable high-power SFD green lasers, in the case of Yb-doped crystals.
OBIECTIV
Obiectivul proiectului
BORATESYB
consta in dezvoltarea cristalelor YCa4O(BO3)3
(YCOB) si
LaxGdySc4-x-y(BO3)4
(LGSB) pure si dopate cu Yb de calitate optica inalta si dimensiuni
mari, optimizate pentru conversia
de frecventa
la puteri mari si pentru realizarea de noi laseri compacti si tunabili
SFD de
putere mare, in cazul
cristalelor dopate cu Yb.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The
BORATESYB project is
a joint research
project between:
●
Solid-State
Quantum Electronics Laboratory - SSQEL
of the National
Institute for Laser, Plasma & Radiation Physics - INFLPR,
Romanian project team: Dr. Gheorghe Lucian,
project manager
Dr. Dascalu Traian
Dr.
Georgescu Serban
Dr. Pavel
Nicolaie
Dr.
Gheorghe Cristina
Dr. Achim
Alexandru
Asst. Eng.
●
Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de
Paris - LCMCP de l’École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de
Paris (ENSCP) - Chimie ParisTech, France.
French
project
team:
Dr.
Aka Gerard
Eng.
Lejay Julien
Eng. Khaled
Federico, PhD student
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RESULTS
1. Development
of
pure and Yb-doped NLO crystals of
LaxGdySc4-x-y(BO3)4
(LGSB) with high
optical quality
and relatively large-size (10
to 15 mm in
diameter and 20 to 30
mm in
length), optimized
for frequency
conversion in the
green spectral
range and for
the realization of
new compact and tunable SFD green lasers, in the case of Yb-doped
crystals
/ coordinator
SSQEL, ROMANIA
-
All the synthesized compounds have been characterized by X-ray
diffraction
(XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements. The
obtained
results have allowed to determine
the Gd,
and respectively, Yb
contents that induce the complete transition from the monoclinic
structure
(space group C2/c) of LaSc3(BO3)4
(LSB) to the trigonal huntite-type structure (space group R32), which imply the acquirement of
nonlinear optical (NLO)
properties for La1-xGdxSc3(BO3)4
and La1-xYbxSc3(BO3)4
compounds preserving the congruent melting character.
- A
large
variety of LaxGdyScz(BO3)4
(x +y + z = 4) - LGSB and LaxYbwGdyScz(BO3)4
(x + w + y + z = 4) - LGSB:Yb compositions (within the congruent
melting range
of existence) were selected as melt compositions for the growth by the
Czochralski method of new NLO test crystals of LGSB and LGSB:Yb - type.
Based
on the evaluation of NLO properties of the grown crystals, and also on
the
spectroscopic properties in the case of LGSB:Yb-type crystals, the
optimum
contents of La, Gd, and Sc in the case of LGSB crystals, and
respectively La,
Gd, Sc, and Yb in the case of LGSB:Yb crystals, were determined.
- The
crystal growth parameters were optimized and high optical quality and
relatively large-size single crystals of LGSB and LGSB:Yb - type were
grown by
the Czochralski method for the first time.
- The NLO
properties of LGSB and LGSB:Yb - type grown crystals were evaluated. Laser
tests
performed on the grown
crystals
have demonstrated their capability to
generate highly efficient
laser emission
at 532
nm by
second harmonic generation (SHG)
processes
of 1.06 μm laser radiation.
- The
spectroscopic and laser emission properties of LGSB:Yb - type grown
crystals
were characterized, and preliminary investigations concerning the
realization
of compact and tunable self-frequency-doubling (SFD) green lasers were
accomplished.
-
The technology for obtaining LGSB and
LGSB:Yb - type
crystals
was transferred to the French partner in order to grow high optical
quality and
large-size single
crystals, optimized for high-power
frequency conversion and for the realization of new
compact and tunable high-power SFD green lasers, in the
case of
Yb-doped crystals.
- The NLO properties of
the grown crystals were characterized and the spectroscopic properties
of
YCOB:Yb - type crystals were evaluated and correlated with NLO
properties.
- Laser
experiments
related to SHG in YCOB crystals and SFD in YCOB:Yb
- type crystals were
performed.
- The acquisition of a Czochralski puller
adapted to the growth of large-size
crystals was finalized and pure and Yb-doped LGSB and YCOB large-size
crystals have
been grown.
- The NLO properties of large-size
LGSB and YCOB grown crystals
were characterized and laser
experiments
related to SHG of fundamental laser
radiations in the 1 μm range were performed.
- Laser
experiments related to SFD processes in Yb-doped YCOB
and LGSB - type crystals were accomplished.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
VALORIFICATION OF THE RESULTS
I.
Papers in ISI-indexed journals
1.
C. Gheorghe, L. Gheorghe, A. Achim, S. Hau, R. D. Avram,
G. Stanciu, “Optical
properties of Sm3+ doped strontium
hexa-aluminate single
crystals,” J. Alloys
Compd. 622,
296-302 (2015).
[Impact factor: 2.999]
2.
C. A. Brandus, L.
Gheorghe, T. Dascalu, “Efficient laser operation at 1.06 µm in co-doped
Lu3+,
Nd3+:GdCa4O(BO3)3
single crystal,” Opt.
Mat. 42, 376-380 (2015). [Impact
factor: 2.062]
3.
A. Achim, L.
Gheorghe, F. M. Voicu,
G. Stanciu, “Blue light production by type-I non-critical phase
matching
second-harmonic generation in La(Ca1-xSrx)4O(BO3)3
single crystals,” CrystEngComm 17,
4098-4101 (2015) [Impact factor: 4.034]
II.
Papers under review in ISI-indexed journals
1.
F. Khaled,
P. Loiseau, F. Voicu, A. Achim, S. Hau, C.
Gheorghe, G. Croitoru, N. Pavel, L. Gheorghe, and G. Aka,
“Spectroscopic properties and laser performances of Yb:LGSB nonlinear
optical
crystal,” J. Alloys Compd. [Impact factor: 2.999]
III. Papers indexed in other international
databases
1.
C. Brandus, L. Gheorghe, T. Dascalu, “Infrared laser
emission in a compact CW and quasi-CW diode pumped Nd3+:GdLuCOB
laser,” IEEE Conference Proceedings of International Conference on
Advanced
Optoelectronics and Lasers (CAOL) 2013, 9-13 Sept. 2013, Sudak,
Ukraine,
102-103, doi: 10.1109/CAOL.2013.6657543.
2.
L. Gheorghe, A.
Achim, F. Voicu, G. Stanciu, “Advanced NLO Crystals for Efficient Blue
Laser
Sources Based on SHG Processes,” Advanced Solid State Lasers, OSA
Technical
Digest (online) (Optical Society of America, 2015), paper ATu2A.3,
doi:10.1364/ASSL.2015.ATu2A.3.
IV.
Upublished results
A large volume of obtained results will be the
subject of further publication in high impact factor ISI-indexed
journals; several
manuscripts are now in various stages of completion.
V. Communications at International Conferences
2.
A.
Achim, L.
Gheorghe, F. Voicu, “Second harmonic
generation in new nonlinear optical crystals of Y1-xRxCa4O(BO3)3
(R= Lu, Sc) through non-critical phase matching,” ISCP
2012, 8-11 May
2012,
3.
A.
Achim, L. Gheorghe, F. Voicu, “Second
Harmonic Generation in New Nonlinear Optical
Crystals of Y1-xRxCa4O(BO3)3
(R = Lu, Sc) Through Non-Critical Phase Matching,”
ROCAM 2012,
28-31 August 2012,
4.
L.
Gheorghe, A. Achim, P. Loiseau, G. Aka, “Advanced NLO Crystals for UV
Light
Generation,” ROCAM 2012, 28-31 August 2012, Brasov, Romania (invited
presentation).
5.
A.
Achim, L. Gheorghe, G. Stanciu, F. Voicu, “Efficient second harmonic
generation
of blue-violet light in type-I noncritical phase matching,” INDLAS
2013, 20-24
May 2013,
6.
L.
Gheorghe, A. Achim, G. Stanciu, F. Voicu, P. Loiseau, G. Aka, “Development
of new nonlinear optical crystals for the design of laser devices
emitting in
the visible and ultraviolet,” ICCGE-17, 11-16 August 2013, Warsaw,
Poland
(TuO2, oral presentation).
7.
A.
Achim, L. Gheorghe, G. Stanciu, “Visible and near UV
light production by type-I non-critical phase matching second harmonic
generation in Y1-xRxCa4O(BO3)3
(R = Lu, Sc): crystal growth and nonlinear characterization,” TIM 2013,
21-24
November,
8.
L.
Gheorghe, A. Achim, G. Stanciu, F. Voicu, C. Gheorghe, “Sm3+-doped
Sr1-xLaxMgxAl12-xO19
(ASL)
single crystals for visible yellow-orange lasers,” ISCP 2014, 23-26
September
2014, Orastie, Romania (I.05, invited presentation).
9.
A.
Achim, L. Gheorghe, G. Stanciu, “Growth and
preliminary characterization of La(Ca1-xSrx)4O(BO3)3
single crystals for SHG in NCPM conditions of 1.03 µm laser emission,” ISCP 2014, 23-26 September 2014,
10.
A.
Achim, L. Gheorghe, G. Stanciu, F. Voicu, “Blue
light production by type-i non-critical phase matching second harmonic
generation in La(Ca1-xSrx)4O(BO3)3:
crystal growth and nonlinear characterization,” TIM 2014, 20-22 nov 2014,
11.
L.
Gheorghe, C. Gheorghe, A. Achim, F. Voicu, G. Stanciu, “Novel
crystals for yellow-orange lasers,”
TIM
2014, 20-22 nov 2014,
12.
L. Gheorghe, A. Achim, G. Stanciu,
F. Voicu, C. Gheorghe, “Growth and characterization of Sm: ASL crystals
for
visible lasers,” The 8th International Conference on Advanced
Materials, ROCAM
2015, 7-10 Iulie 2015, Bucuresti, Romania (oral presentation).
13.
A. Achim, L. Gheorghe, V. Flavius,
“Development of new nonlinear optical crystals for efficient blue laser
sources,” The 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials, ROCAM
2015,
7-10 Iulie 2015, Bucuresti, Romania (oral presentation).
14.
L. Gheorghe, F.
Voicu, G. Salamu, F. Khaled, A. Achim, C.
Gheorghe, P. Loiseau, N.
Pavel, G. Aka, “On
the crystal growth of incongruent borate type crystal LaxGdyScz(BO3)4
(x + y + z = 4) by the Czochralski
method,” Fifth European Conference on Crystal Growth, ECCG 2015, 9-11
September
2015, Bologna, Italy (oral presentation).
15.
F. Khaled, S.
Sattayaporn, P. Loiseau, G. Aka, L Gheorghe, “Crystal growth and
characterization of an oxy-fluoride crystal (BaCaBO3F)
doped with Yb3+
ions for self-frequency doubling: a thrilling challenge,” Fifth
European
Conference on Crystal Growth, ECCG 2015, 9-11 September 2015, Bologna,
Italy
(poster presentation).
16.
L. Gheorghe, A. Achim, F.
Voicu, G.
Stanciu, “Advanced NLO crystals for efficient blue laser sources based
on SHG
processes,” OSA Advanced Solid State Lasers Conference
and Exhibition,
ASSL 2015, 04 - 09 October 2015, WISTA-Technology Park
Adlershof-Berlin,
Germany (poster presentation).
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Laboratory of Solid-State Quantum Electronics |