BBO Crystals (Beta-Barium Borate)
BBO (Beta-Barium Borate) (β-BaB2O4) is a versatile nonlinear optical crystal with a combination of a number of unique features: wide transparency region, broad phase-matching range, large nonlinear coefficient and high damage threshold.
BBO is one of the few practical crystals for use below 500 nm in Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Sum Frequency Mixing (SFM). BBO can be uses with CW light, nanosecond pulses or ultra fast pulses. It can produce output SHG for SFM light in the ultraviolet down to 190nm.
BBO crystal has broad tunability, a high damage threshold, and a high efficiency. BBO's small acceptance angle requires a very good beam quality and its large walk-off results in output beams that are very elliptical or slit-like. Type I is usually much more efficient than type II operation. BBO cannot be used for NCPM (temperature tuned) application. BBO is very good for tunable laser sources, such as ultrafast Ti:Sapphire or dye lasers.
GAMDAN Optics, Inc. BBO Crystal
GAMDAN Optics, Inc. offers three grades of Beta-BBO Crystals; BBO for Q-switching applications, BBO for OPO applications, and BBO for frequency conversion. Contact us to discuss the most appropriate material grade for your application needs.
BBO is hygroscopic. In application, protective coating or AR coating or crystal housing is usually recommended – protective coating is recommended especially for applications of ultra short pulses.
PURCHASE BBO CRYSTALS FROM GAMDAN OPTICS, Inc.
If you’re looking for nonlinear BBO crystals for sale for frequency conversion, we can manufacture custom BBO crystals with a thickness and aperture that meets your specific type of application.
Contact us if you need more information or have questions about our BBO crystal price!
BBO Crystal Specifications
GAMDAN BBO (beta-barium borate, β-BaB2O4) is the only practical crystal for SHG and SFM below 500 nm, and is used for OPO/OPA and as an electro-optic Q-switch material for Pockels cells.
Key Specs
| Parameter | GAMDAN BBO |
|---|---|
| Material | β-BaB2O4, negative uniaxial |
| Transparency range | 189 to 3500 nm |
| Phase-matchable output | 189 to 1750 nm |
| Nonlinear coefficient | d11 = 1.75 pm/V |
| Electro-optic coefficient | γ11 = 2.5 pm/V |
| Half-wave voltage (static) | 46 kV at 1064 nm, length = cross section |
| Hygroscopic | Yes |
Why GAMDAN BBO
- Pockels cell Q-switching: no acoustic ringing and excellent extinction ratio in EO use.
- Optical homogeneity of δn ~ 10-6/cm, observed at GAMDAN.
- Visible and UV focus: GAMDAN's growth and fabrication work centers on LBO and BBO for visible and UV applications.
Applications
- SHG and SFM into the visible through the deep UV, including 266 nm from 532 nm
- OPO, OPG, and OPA, including ultrafast pumping
- Electro-optic Q-switching (Pockels cells)
BBO FAQ
What is BBO used for?
SHG and SFM into the deep UV, OPO/OPG/OPA, and electro-optic Q-switching in Pockels cells. It is the only practical crystal for SHG and SFM below 500 nm.
What is the transparency range of BBO?
189 to 3500 nm.
What is the half-wave voltage of a BBO Pockels cell?
The static half-wave voltage is 46 kV at 1064 nm for a crystal whose length equals its cross section.