Deep-UV nonlinear optical crystal KBe2BO3F2—discovery, growth, optical properties and applications

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 97; no. 1; pp. 9 - 25
• Main Authors: Chen, C. T., Wang, G. L., Wang, X. Y., Xu, Z. Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-09-2009; Springer
• Subjects: Crystal structure; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Harmonic generations; Lasers; Nonlinear optical crystals; Nonlinearity; Optical Devices; Optical materials; Optical properties; Optical sources and standards; Optics; Photolithography; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Optics; Space environment; Spacecraft; Visible and ultraviolet sources; 42.65.Ky; 42.70.Mp; Beryllium Fluoroborates; Multi-element compounds; Non linear material; Ultraviolet sources; Potassium Fluoroborates; Far ultraviolet radiation; Superresolution; Optical properties; Radiation sources; Optical materials; Photolithography
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-009-3554-4

This review introduces in detail the history of the discovery of the nonlinear optical crystal KBe
2
BO
3
F
2
(KBBF), with a full description of its growth, space structure, optical properties, and capability to generate deep-ultraviolet (UV) harmonic generation. Several important applications developed recently using all-solid-state deep-UV light sources, such as super-high-resolution laser photoemission spectrograph and 193 nm photolithography, will be reviewed.