Acentric langanite La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 crystal: a new nonlinear crystal for the generation of mid-infrared parametric light

The mid-infrared spectral range extending from 2 to 6 mu m is significant for scientific and technological applications. A promising nonlinear oxide crystal La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 (LGN) is proposed and fully characterized for the first time to our knowledge. The transparency range extends between 0.28 and 7.4 mu m. The two principal refractive indices were measured and we found that the nonlinear coefficient d(11) = 3.0 +/- 0.1 pm/V at 0.532 mu m. The simultaneous fit of data allowed us to refine the Sellmeier equations of LGN and to calculate the tuning curves for optical parametric generation (OPG) pumped at 1.064 mu m. Calculations are consistent with recorded data and also show the generation of a supercontinuum between 1.5 and 3.5 mu m when pumped at 0.98 mu m by a Ti:Sapphire laser. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America