Recent advancements suggest the possibility of improved quasi-phasematched (QPM) nonlinear optical devices based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO4 (PP:RTA). QPM has several advantages over birefringent phase matching including the ability to phase match any nonlinear interaction within the transparency range of the material and QPM structures can be designed such that the interacting waves are coupled through the largest element of the X(2) tensor yielding a larger d(eff). Periodic poling of LiNbO3 (PPLN) had demonstrated the utility of electric field poling of ferroelectric crystals to produce QPM nonlinear optical devices. Recent demonstrations of electric field poling of RTA indicated that PP:RTA may offer significant advantages over PPLN including lower poling voltage, larger aperture devices and higher damage threshold. This proposed research effort will establish a routing procedure for production of PP:RTA devices. This will be accomplished by (1) determining materials properties critical to successful periodic electric field poling of RTA, (2) controlling these materials process through improved synthesis, crystal growth and fabrication, (3) establishment of facility for routine production of PP:RTA devices and (4) characterization of PP:RTA devices.
