Bulk Periodically-poled Potassium Niobate Crystals for Mid-IR Opo Applications

This proposal seeks to fabricate bulk crystals of KNb03 which contain periodic domain structures using electric field poling of single-domain crystals which have photolithographically defined electrode patterns. Periodically-poled KNb03 crystals have the potential for widespread application for efficient generation in the wavelength range 3 -5 um using optical parametric iscillators. The specific objectives are: 1. Establish conditions of electric field and temperature required to obtain periodic domain reversal in KNb03 crystals.Poled, single-domain wafers of KNb03 will be prepared, upon which metal electrode patterns will be defined using photolithography. Conditions of domain reversal in these crystals will then be established using electric-field poling. The optical properties and domain structure of these poled crystals will be examined using microscopy. Performance as an OPO crystal will be initiated.