In modern quantum optics and integrated photonics, precise control over light is essential. Laboratories and industrial applications require devices that offer high speed, stability, and reproducibility. Raicol has established itself as a leading provider of electro-optic devices and nonlinear crystal systems, offering products that enable precise laser modulation, pulse shaping, and frequency conversion for demanding scientific environments. Raicol’s portfolio includes Pockels cells, phase and amplitude modulators, Q-switches, pulse pickers, and a range of advanced nonlinear systems for second harmonic generation (SHG), third harmonic generation (THG), optical parametric oscillation (OPO), and spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) processes.
Electro-Optic Devices for High-Speed Laser Control
Electro-optic (EO)devices leverage the Pockels effect in nonlinear crystals to modulate laser beams at high speed with nanosecond precision. These devices are central to modern photonics research, enabling scientists to control polarization, phase, and amplitude with exceptional accuracy.
RTP EO Cells and Pockels Cells
Raicol’s RTP (Rubidium Titanyl Phosphate) EO cells are the foundation of their electro-optic product line. RTP belongs to the KTP crystal family and offers outstanding electro-optical properties:
- Ultra-fast response: Rise time, fall time, and pulse width < 1 ns
- High damage threshold: Over 1 GW/cm² at 1064 nm (typical >2 GW/cm²)
- Wide temperature stability: Operating range from -50°C to 70°C
- Non-hygroscopic: Easy handling, no protective cover needed
- High extinction ratio: >35 dB
- Low half-wave voltage: Enables compact design
- Minimal acoustic ringing: Compatible for over 1 MHz repetition rate
iRTP Pockels Cells
Raicol’s iRTP (industrial RTP) brings the advantages of RTP to the mass market:
- Industrial price point: Standard off-the-shelf solution at competitive pricing
- Simplified alignment: Requires only 1-axis alignment vs. 3-axis for KD*P
- Thermal stability: 10°C to 50°C operational range without thermal control
- High damage threshold: Typically > 1 GW/cm²
- Fast response: <1 ns rise time
- No acoustic ringing: Up to at least 350 kHz
Applications for EO Devices
- Q-Switches: For generating high-energy, short-duration laser pulses
- Pulse Pickers: Enabling selection of individual pulses from high-repetition-rate laser trains
- Phase Modulators: For precise manipulation of optical phase
- Amplitude Modulators: For controlled laser attenuation and modulation
- Cavity Dumpers: For extracting stored energy from laser cavities
- Optical Shutters: For precise laser beam gating
- Attenuators & Deflectors: For beam control applications
Crystal-Based Frequency Conversion Solutions
Raicol offers a comprehensive suite of nonlinear crystal solutions for wavelength conversion, essential for many advanced laser applications.
Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Crystals
KTP Crystals: The most common nonlinear crystal for SHG of YAG lasers
- SHG coefficient approximately three times higher than KDP
- High laser damage threshold: 1 GW/cm² at 1064 nm
- Large aperture capability: up to 50×50 mm
- Excellent thermal stability
HGTR (High Gray Track Resistance) KTP: For high-power applications
- Average output power density at 532 nm up to 5 kW/cm²
- Nonlinear coefficient 4 times higher than LBO
- Designed to resist gray track formation at high power
LBO (Lithium Triborate) Crystals:
- Super polished surface quality: roughness ≤ 3Å RMS
- Very low bulk absorption: up to 2 ppm/cm at 1064 nm
- High damage threshold: 2500 MW/cm² at 1064 nm
- Wide transparency range: 160-2600 nm
Third Harmonic Generation (THG)
CLBO (Caesium Lithium Borate): Ideal for deep UV applications
- Wide transmission range: 180-2750 nm
- Enables frequency conversion below 200 nm
- Applications: 4th and 5th harmonics of Nd:YAG, 7th and 8th harmonics of 1550 nm
Optical Parametric Oscillation (OPO)
KTP OPO Crystals: Most efficient for converting 1064 nm to 1572 nm (“eye safe”)
- Non-critical phase matching (NCPM) for 1572 nm with no walk-off
- Available in monolithic configurations with 20-30% higher efficiency
- Apertures up to 40×40 mm, lengths up to 40 mm
Quantum Applications - PPKTP and Beyond
PPKTP (Periodically Poled KTP): Raicol pioneered this technology over 20 years ago
- Quasi-phase matching (QPM) enables efficient SPDC processes
- Three times larger effective nonlinear coefficient than bulk KTP
- Type-0 or Type-II phase matching options
- Broad pumping range: 405 nm, 532 nm, 775 nm
HP-APKTP (High Purity Aperiodically Poled KTP):
- Aperiodic poling shapes the joint spectrum of SPDC
- Higher spectral purity without external filters
- Improved Hong-Ou-Mandel visibility compared to standard ppKTP
- Type-2 crystal suitable for Ti-Sapphire laser pumping (775-795 nm)
PPKTP Innovations:
- Waveguides: 23× higher nonlinear efficiency compared to bulk crystals
- Monolithic crystals: Mirror-coated facets for squeezed light generation
- 2D poling: For spatial qudit generation and quantum holography
- Short poling periods: Down to 1.2 μm for narrow-band counter-propagation SPDC
Integrated Photonics and Future Technologies
Raicol is developing advanced solutions for integrated photonics:
Waveguide Technologies
- ppKTP waveguides: Enhanced pair generation efficiency (>10× bulk efficiency)
- RTP waveguide modulators: For integrated photonic applications
- Thin film RTP: Optimized for silicon photonics integration
Quantum Components
- Heralded Single-Photon Modules: Fiber-coupled, integrated with thermal control
- Entangled Photon Sources: Sagnac-loop design with >95% visibility
- Squeezed Light Sources: Monolithic ppKTP for quantum sensing
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