Gagik G. Gurzadyan – författare

Since the invention of the first laser 30 years ago, the frequency conversion of laser radiation in nonlinear optical crystals has become an important technique widely used in quantum electronics and laser physics for solving various scientific and engineering problems. The fundamental physics of three-wave light interactions in nonlinear optical crystals is now well understood. This has enabled the production of various harmonic generators, sum-and difference­ frequency generators, and optical parametric oscillators based on nonlinear optical crystals that are now commercially available. At the same time, scientists continue an active search for novel, highly efficient nonlinear optical materials. Therefore, in our opinion, there is a great need for a handbook of nonlinear optical crystals, intended for specialists and practitioners with an engineering background. This book contains a complete description of the properties and applications of all nonliner optical crystals of practicalimportance reported in the literature up to the beginning of 1990. In addition, it contains the most important equations for calculating the main parameters (such as phase-matching direction, effective nonlinearity, and conversion efficiency) of nonlinear frequency converters.

Since the invention of the first laser 30 years ago, the frequency conversion of laser radiation in nonlinear optical crystals has become an important technique widely used in quantum electronics and laser physics for solving various scientific and engineering problems. The fundamental physics of three-wave light interactions in nonlinear optical crystals is now well understood. This has enabled the production of various harmonic generators, sum-and difference­ frequency generators, and optical parametric oscillators based on nonlinear optical crystals that are now commercially available. At the same time, scientists continue an active search for novel, highly efficient nonlinear optical materials. Therefore, in our opinion, there is a great need for a handbook of nonlinear optical crystals, intended for specialists and practitioners with an engineering background. This book contains a complete description of the properties and applications of all nonliner optical crystals of practicalimportance reported in the literature up to the beginning of 1990. In addition, it contains the most important equations for calculating the main parameters (such as phase-matching direction, effective nonlinearity, and conversion efficiency) of nonlinear frequency converters.

Four years ago when we had finished our work on the first edition of our Handbook we didn''t even suppose that three years later it would become necessary to greatly revise and update the material. It happened because of the following developments. 1. The invention and tremendous development of modern nonlinear optical crystals such as BBO, LBO, KTP, ZnGeP , etc. 2 2. Rapid progress in laser techniques (femtosecond CPM laser, Ti: sapphire laser, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, etc.). 3. The appearence of numerous organic crystals which can be synthesized with predictable properties. 4. Progress in the theory of nonlinear frequency conversion utilizing biaxial crystals, femtosecond pulses, etc. 5. Accumulation of new data on the properties of nonlinear optical crystals. In accordance with the above, we have made many changes in the text. The first chapter was revised by D.N. Nikogosyan, the second one by V.G. Dmitriev and D.N. Nikogosyan, and the fourth one by G.G. Gurzadyan. The third chapter, containing the main reference material on 77 nonlinear optical crystals was completely rewritten and updated by D.N. Nikogosyan. The Appendix containing the list of most commonly used laser wavelengths was compiled by D.N. Nikogosyan. We would appreciate any valuable comments and recommendations that will allow us to further improve the Handbook. We would like to thank H.K.V. Lotsch for fruitful and long-lasting cooperation.

Since the invention of the first laser 30 years ago, the frequency conversion of laser radiation in nonlinear optical crystals has become an important technique widely used in quantum electronics and laser physics for solving various scientific and engineering problems. The fundamental physics of three-wave light interactions in nonlinear optical crystals is now well understood. This has enabled the production of various harmonic generators, sum-and difference­ frequency generators, and optical parametric oscillators based on nonlinear optical crystals that are now commercially available. At the same time, scientists continue an active search for novel, highly efficient nonlinear optical materials. Therefore, in our opinion, there is a great need for a handbook of nonlinear optical crystals, intended for specialists and practitioners with an engineering background. This book contains a complete description of the properties and applications of all nonliner optical crystals of practicalimportance reported in the literature up to the beginning of 1990. In addition, it contains the most important equations for calculating the main parameters (such as phase-matching direction, effective nonlinearity, and conversion efficiency) of nonlinear frequency converters.

Since the invention of the first laser 30 years ago, the frequency conversion of laser radiation in nonlinear optical crystals has become an important technique widely used in quantum electronics and laser physics for solving various scientific and engineering problems. The fundamental physics of three-wave light interactions in nonlinear optical crystals is now largely understood. This has enabled the production of the various harmonic generators, sum and difference frequency generators, and parametric oscillators based on nonlinear crystals that are now commercially available. At the same time, scientists continue an active search for novel high-efficiency optical materials. Therefore, in our opinion, there is a great need for a handbook of nonlinear optical crystals, intended for specialists and practitioners with an engineering background. This book contains a complete description of the properties and applications of all nonlinear crystals reported in the literature up to the beginning of 1990. In addition, it contains the most important equations for calculating the main parameters (such as phase-matching direction, effective non-linearity, and conversion efficiency) of nonlinear frequency converters.