Optical properties and ferroelectric engineering of vapor-transport-equilibrated, near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate for frequency conversion

Near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate (SLT) crystals were produced from congruent lithium tantalate by vapor transport equilibration, and several important optical and ferroelectric properties were measured. The effect of vapor transport conditions and surface preparation on reproducible ferroelectric engineering of SLT has been studied. Control of these effects along with dramatic decreases in the sensitivity to photorefractive damage and 532 nm absorption has allowed near-room-temperature generation of 10 W of continuous wave 532 nm radiation by second harmonic generation from 29 W of 1064 nm radiation in a 4 cm long device.