Fabrication of periodically poled lithium tantalate for UV generation withdiode lasers

Fabrication of periodically poled lithium tantalate (PPLT) with periods as short as 1.3 mum for second harmonic generation (SHG) in the UV range and f or optical parametric oscillators pumped at 532 nm is reported. Both the ma ximum crystal size of up to 40 mm and the minimum poling period of 1.3 mum are improvements on earlier results, achieved by optimizing the poling cond itions and by using a novel electrode design consisting of electrode struct ures on both surfaces of the crystal. Single-pass SHG of a master oscillato r power amplifier (MOPA) diode laser with an output power of 1.36 mW at 336 nm using a 16-mm-long PPLT crystal with a 1.5 mum poling period is reporte d.