Covesion specialises in the manufacture of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) devices, such as, MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate (MgO:PPLN or PPMgO:LN) and undoped PPLN. These PPLN devices are used for efficient frequency conversion of lasers allowing you to reach wavelengths that cannot be achieved with conventional solid state lasers, diode lasers etc. For example, you can use PPLN to:
- frequency double a 1064nm laser to 532nm – a technique used for green laser pointers
- convert 1064nm to 3um, used for gas detection or microscopy imaging techniques
Principles of nonlinear frequency conversion
- Second order nonlinear processes
- Phase matching of MgO:PPLN with periodic poling period
Material properties of Lithium Niobate
- Second Order Nonlinearity
- Refractive index
- Transmission
- MgO:PPLN vs undoped PPLN
- Power Handling and Damage Threshold
- Damage Mechanisms
- The Photorefractive Effect
- Green Induced Infrared Absorption
How to use PPLN
- Crystal length
- Polarization
- Focusing and the Optical Arrangement
- Temperature and Period
Example uses of PPLN
- Second Harmonic Generation
- Difference Frequency Generation
- Optical Parametric Oscillator
- Sum Frequency Generation
