Fabrication of periodically poled lithium tantalate for UV generation with diode lasers

Fabrication of periodically poled lithium tantalate (PPLT) with periods as short as 1.3 um for second harmonic generation (SHG) in the UV range and for optical parametric oscillators pumped at 532 nm is reported. Both the maximum crystal size of up to 40 mm and the minimum poling period of 1.3 um are improvements on earlier results, achieved by optimizing the poling conditions and by using a novel electrode design consisting of electrode structures on both surfaces of the crystal. Single-pass SHG of a master oscillator 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 um poling period is reported.