GROWTH OF BETA-BARIUM METABORATE SINGLE CRYSTAL FIBERS ALONG THE PHASE MATCHING DIRECTION

High optical quality single crystal fibers of β-BaB₂O₄(BBO), an important nonlinear optical material, were grown along the second-harmonic generation phase matching direction by the laser heated pedestal growth method. The effects of various growth parameters, especially growth rate, on growth stability and fiber quality were investigated. It was found that 0.25mm/min is the suitable growth rate which can reduces the harmful effects of growth anisotropy and constitutional supercooling on fiber quality.