Efficient second-harmonic generation of a high-energy, femtosecond laser pulse in a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal

TL;DR

This paper reports achieving approximately 80% efficiency in second harmonic generation of high-energy, femtosecond laser pulses using a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal, surpassing other materials like KDP, with implications for high energy density science.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the highest efficiency in SHG of Joule-level femtosecond pulses using LBO, highlighting its advantages over other nonlinear crystals.

Findings

Achieved ~80% SHG efficiency with LBO

LBO outperforms KDP in efficiency

Generated high contrast, ultra-high intensity femtosecond pulses

Abstract

We demonstrate the highest efficiency ($\sim$80%) second harmonic generation (SHG) of Joule level, 27 femtosecond, high contrast pulses in a type-I lithium triborate (LBO) crystal. In comparison, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) gives a maximum efficiency of 26%. LBO thus offers high intensity ($>$10$^{19}$ W/cm$^{2}$), ultra-high contrast femtosecond pulses, which have great potential for high energy density science particularly with nanostructured targets as well as technological applications.