INO Launches Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) Crystals

INO is proud to announce that its periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystals are now commercially available to the optical industry. The PPLN that are manufactured by INO are used to generate optical frequency conversion by creating quasi-phase-matching between two optical signals. In association with an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), these devices can be used to make a frequency tunable laser source. The devices can also be used to create second harmonic generation (SHG) of a laser signal in order to obtain a shorter wavelength laser. Other application examples include sum frequency generation (SFG) and difference frequency generation (DFG).

The PPLN come in a variety of standard and custom periods ranging from 6 um to 40 um. It is possible to have more than 1 period on the same substrate. The length of the crystals vary from 1 mm to 40 mm with a thickness of 0.5 mm. PPLN crystals can be provided with anti-reflective coatings as well as optical polishing which can be accomplished on both end faces.

Conversion efficiencies of more than 40% (4 dB conversion loss) have been attained primarily due to channel waveguides that can be imprinted in the lithium niobate crystal by way of the well-known annealed proton exchange technique (APE). These waveguides insure a high power density of the optical signals and improve power coupling with optical fiber pigtails.

Our manufacturing technique enables us to produce simple, reproducible, and economical PPLN. In order to reflect the innovation behind this technique a demand for a patent has been filed.

About INO
INO is an international leader in optics and photonics research & development and promotes expansion by providing assistance to companies seeking to be more competitive. INO concentrates its field of activities in 4 sectors which are Photonic and Guided-Wave Optics, Laser System Technologies, Photonic Materials and Processes and finally Digital and Optical Systems.

Among the 4 sectors, the Photonic and Guided-Wave Optics further specialises in the manufacturing of specialty fibers such as high attenuation fibers, photosensitive fibers, and rare earth doped fibers for both single clad and double clad configurations. INO also acts as an industry partner in the field of fiber Bragg gratings for applications such as gain flattening filters especially useful for DWDM EDFA. Moreover, INO manufactures periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) for wavelength conversion applications.

INO, 2740 Einstein Street, Sainte-Foy, PQ G1P 4S4. Tel: 418-657-7006; Fax: 418-657-7009.