Deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystals: concept development and materials discovery

• Published in: Light, science & applications Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 201
• Main Authors: Kang, Lei, Lin, Zheshuai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.07.2022; Springer Nature B.V; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 119/118; 639/624/399; 639/766/400/385; Crystals; Lasers; Microwaves; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Review; Review Article; Reviews; RF and Optical Engineering
• ISSN: 2047-7538; 2095-5545; 2047-7538
• DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-00899-1

Deep-ultraviolet (DUV, wavelength λ  < 200 nm) nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal is the core component of frequency conversion to generate DUV laser, which plays an important role in cutting-edge laser technology and fundamental science. Significant progress has been made in both experimental exploration and theoretical design in the field of DUV NLO crystals over the past three decades. In-depth insight into “structure-property correlations”, in particular, allows for rigorous and precise identification of DUV NLO crystals. In this article, we reviewed the current experimental and theoretical research progress while elucidating the core concepts and stringent criteria of qualified DUV phase-matched second-harmonic generation crystals. We also discussed the development of the DUV NLO “structure-property correlations” from first principles and how it has sparked interest in related materials, as well as future directions for obtaining potential DUV NLO crystals. Structure-property correlations and related materials discovery of deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystals are reviewed while elucidating the core concepts and stringent criteria.