Ferroelectric single crystal materials in optoelectronics and microwave photonic applications

Recent interests in developing miniature wavelength-converted fiber lasers, couplers, and modulators, and integration of these with optical fibers and in microwave transmission systems, demand for example high-quality defect-free single-crystal fibers of materials with high electro-optic coefficients, high optical damage resistance, tailored core-cladding structures, and domain configurations, depending on specific applications. An overview is given on the materials development utilizing the floating zone crystal growth facilities at Penn State including the laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) technique and the optic image furnace, with focus on applications utilizing ferroelectric single crystal materials. Materials development, particularly the ferroelectric oxygen octahedral structural families (perovskites and tungsten bronzes) are emphasized. The exploration for those crystal fibers in applications that require field and frequency agile, high electro-optic and nonlinear optic properties, and tailored physical and photonic properties in desired wavelength range, are presented in this paper.