Improved Sellmeier equation for congruently grown lithium tantalate

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 95; no. 3; pp. 453 - 458
• Main Authors: Barboza, N. A., Cudney, R. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-06-2009
• Subjects: Conversion; Deviation; Dispersions; Engineering; Infrared; Lasers; Lithium tantalates; Mathematical analysis; Optical Devices; Optics; Oscillators; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Optics; Tuning; 77.84 Dy; 78.20.Ci
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-009-3434-y

We present a Sellmeier equation that describes the refractive index dispersion of congruently grown LiTaO
3
, accurate from 0.3 to 5 μm and from 23 to above 200°C. Data were acquired by two different ways: directly by the minimal deviation technique in the visible and near-infrared range and indirectly by quasi-phase-matched optical parametric generation in PPLT in the mid-infrared range. The data was fit to a Sellmeier equation based on two oscillators in the UV and an infrared correction. The resulting equation accurately predicts the tuning curves for optical parametric generation in the infrared, as well as the correct quasi-phase-matching conditions for frequency conversion into the ultraviolet by second-harmonic generation.