Second harmonic generation from beta barium borate (β-BaB2O4) thin films grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Thin films of beta barium borate (β-BaB2O4) have been deposited by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on fused silica, sapphire, platinum, and silicon substrates. Deposition conditions were optimized to reproducibly grow films with the c axis normal to the substrate. Second harmonic generation measurements have been made on selected films. The films grown on fused silica exhibit a maximum χeff(2) of 0.78 pm/V, and on single-crystal sapphire, 1.6 pm/V.