Investigation of birefringence uniformity of mid-IR nonlinear optical crystals

Benjamin R. Johnson; Kevin T. Zawilski; Peter G. Schunemann; P. Randall Staver; Thomas M. Pollak; Evan P. Chickilis

doi:10.1117/12.908764

16 February 2012 Investigation of birefringence uniformity of mid-IR nonlinear optical crystals

Benjamin R. Johnson, Kevin T. Zawilski, Peter G. Schunemann, P. Randall Staver, Thomas M. Pollak, Evan P. Chickilis

Proceedings Volume 8240, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications XI; 824016 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908764
Event: SPIE LASE, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

An investigation of the birefringence uniformity of mid-IR non-linear optical crystals has been conducted in an effort to improve the performance of crystals used in OPO converters. This paper discusses the development of an imaging polarimeter operating at 2 μm for the characterization of birefringence uniformity of nonlinear optical crystals for use in mid-IR generation. The spatial distribution of optical in-homogeneity is directly revealed in terms of optical rotation in the polarimeter. The root cause for the optical rotation observed in the polarimeter is discussed in terms of fluctuations in the material birefringence, or excess birefringence. Excess birefringence on the order of ▵n=10^-4 are measured in samples exhibiting the rare occurrence of low birefringence uniformity in our mid-IR nonlinear optical crystals.

Citation Download Citation

Benjamin R. Johnson, Kevin T. Zawilski, Peter G. Schunemann, P. Randall Staver, Thomas M. Pollak, and Evan P. Chickilis "Investigation of birefringence uniformity of mid-IR nonlinear optical crystals", Proc. SPIE 8240, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications XI, 824016 (16 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908764

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