Lithium Triborate, LiB3O5, commonly known as LBO, is a borate crystal that is widely used in nonlinear optics and frequency conversion applications. It has a high nonlinear optical coefficient, making it an ideal material for frequency doubling, sum-frequency mixing, and other nonlinear optical processes. LBO is also a good optical material with high transparency in the visible and near-infrared regions.
LBO crystals are grown using the Czochralski method, and wafers are available in various sizes and orientations. The crystal structure of LBO is monoclinic, with a high symmetry along the c-axis. This makes it easy to cut, polish and orient the wafers for specific applications.
LBO has excellent mechanical, thermal, and optical properties, including high thermal stability, low birefringence, and low optical loss. These properties make it ideal for use in high-power laser systems, optical parametric oscillators, and other laser-based applications.
LBO wafers are widely used in a variety of applications, including:
Nonlinear optics and frequency conversion
Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs)
High-power laser systems
Optical amplifiers
Second harmonic generation
Optical isolators
Polarization conversion and control
Overall, LBO wafers are a versatile and important component in many optical systems, and their unique properties make them a valuable material for a wide range of applications.