SBIR Phase I: Hydrothermal Growth of Potassium Beryllium Fluoroborate (KBBF) for deep UV Nonlinear Optical Applications.

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project is to develop a commercial growth process for single crystals of KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF) using hydrothermal techniques. KBBF shows exceptional promise as a deep UV non-linear optical material (NLO). NLOs are vital for the development of solid-state lasers with wavelengths below 200 nm for use in photolithography, micromachining and spectroscopy. The sub-200 nm region is extremely inaccessible and optics for those wavelengths are quite rare. The successful development of commercial KBBF will enable laser applications such as frequency doubling and wavelength mixing in the deep ultraviolet. Currently, this material is unavailable in the open market. China has invested heavily in developing this material but has embargoed its export.