Nonlinear optical properties of K/sub 2/La(NO/sub 3/)/sub 5/.2H/sub 2/O and K/sub 2/Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 5/.2H/sub 2/O

The harmonic generating properties of potassium lanthanum nitrate (KLN) and potassium cerium nitrate (KCN) are described. These crystals have much larger nonlinear coefficients than potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) and are nearly noncritically phase matched at room temperature for Type I frequency doubling of 1.064- mu m light, and for Type II doubling of light near 0.95 mu m. Thus, these crystals are useful for generating blue-green light by frequency doubling high-power near-infrared lasers. The crystal growth of KLN and KCN are described by the three component phase diagrams. Crystallographic data for KCN that confirms its structural similarity to KLN are presented. The optical absorption spectra of the two materials are discussed, and the linear refractive indexes are given.<
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