ALPHA-IODIC ACID: A SOLUTION-GROWN CRYSTAL FOR NONLINEAR OPTICAL STUDIES AND APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The linear and nonlinear optical properties of α-HIO3 have been measured in the visible and near-infrared. Phase-matched second harmonic generation is shown to occur for both parallel and orthogonal input polarizations. The observed phase-matching surfaces are in agreement with theory. In addition, (a) large single crystals of high optical quality are easily grown from water solution; (b) the measured nonlinear coefficient d14 is slightly larger than d31 in LiNbO3; and (c) no ``optical damage'' effects occur at high power densities. Preliminary results indicate that a substantial number of iodates exhibit similar nonlinear optical properties.