Crystal Nonlinear Optics With Snlo Examples Pdf May 2026

SNLO example (SHG, Type I, 1064 nm → 532 nm):

Goal: Design a visible-pumped OPA: 400 nm pump → signal (600–700 nm) + idler (900–1100 nm).

SNLO Steps:

Key Outputs:

Takeaway: SNLO’s tuning plots help select crystal angle for desired signal wavelength. crystal nonlinear optics with snlo examples pdf

| Crystal | Process | PM Type | Tuning Method | SNLO Example Use Case | |---------|---------|---------|----------------|------------------------| | BBO | SHG 800→400 nm | Type I (ooe) | Angle (29°) | High-energy pulsed lasers | | LBO | SHG 1064→532 nm | Type I (ooe) | Non-critical (90°) | High average power, low walk-off | | KTP | OPO 532 nm pumped | Type II (eoe) | Angle or temperature | Nanosecond OPOs | | PPLN | DFG 1.5 μm & 1.06 μm → 3.5 μm | QPM (1st order) | Temperature | Mid-IR CW generation |

For efficient nonlinear mixing, momentum conservation (phase matching) must hold: [ \Delta k = k_3 - k_1 - k_2 = 0 ] In terms of refractive indices: [ \fracn_3\lambda_3 = \fracn_1\lambda_1 + \fracn_2\lambda_2 ] SNLO example (SHG, Type I, 1064 nm →

Because crystals are birefringent, you can use different polarizations to achieve phase matching:

SNLO calculates the phase matching angle ( \theta ) (angle between k-vector and optical axis) and walk-off angle ( \rho ) (Poynting vector deviation). Key Outputs :

| Crystal | Transparency (µm) | NLO coeff. (pm/V) | Walk‑off | Applications | |---------|------------------|-------------------|----------|--------------| | BBO | 0.19–3.5 | ~2.2 @ 1064 nm | High | UV SHG, OPA | | LBO | 0.16–2.6 | ~0.85 | Very low | High‑power SHG, OPO | | KTP | 0.35–4.5 | ~3.5 | Moderate | 1064 nm SHG, OPO | | LiNbO₃ | 0.4–5.0 | ~4 (PPLN: 17) | Low | cw OPOs, DFG | | AgGaS₂ | 0.7–12 | ~12 | Low | Mid‑IR |

SNLO includes Sellmeier equations for each, plus thermal and angular tuning.