Growth and optical properties of nonlinear LuAl3(BO3)4 crystals

The optical properties of pure LuAl3(BO3)(4) (abbreviated as LuAB) crystals were investigated for the first time. Large UV-transparent LuAl3(BO3)(4) crystals were grown by a high-temperature top-seeding method with Li2WO4O7-B2O3 as the flux. The refractive indices of LuAl3(BO3)(4) at several wavelengths covering ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared regions were measured by the auto-collimation method. The parameters of Sellmeier's dispersion equation were determined from the experimental data. The phase-matching curve of second harmonic generation was measured. The nonlinear optical coefficient d(11) of LuAB crystal was determined to be 1.10 pm/V by a phase-matching method. The UV cut-off wavelength of the LuAl3(BO3)(4) crystal was shorter than 190 nm. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America