Temperature-dependent Sellmeier equation for the refractive index of stoichiometric lithium tantalate

We present a temperature-dependent Sellmeier equation for the refractive index of stoichiometric LiTaO3. The extraordinary refractive index, for the range 0.39-4.1 mum and for temperatures of 30-200degreesC, are based on previously published data [Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 41, 465 (2002)] and on measured data derived from quasi-phase-matched (QPM) resonances. We used the new Sellmeier coefficients that we obtained to calculate the QPM wavelengths for an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled stoichiometric LiTaO3 pumped at 1064 nm. The measured wavelengths of the OPO were in good agreement with our predictions. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.