Gained experience in production of wide-aperture optical elements using KDP, DKDP crystals rapid growth technology

摘要

Optical elements made of KDP, DKDP crystals (Pockels elements, frequency conversion elements, phase plates) are up to now among the most expensive and significant ones in high-power laser systems with frequency conversion into higher harmonics. Only some companies have mastered such production technology of optical elements with the aperture size up to 40x40 cm. The production is characterized by very long cycles of crystal growth and large waster at manufacturing optical elements, which leads to an extremely high price of the products. An alternative technology based on rapid technology of profiled growth of crystal products and the technology of optical diamond micromilling by means of ISM-600 machines are developed now at the Institute of Applied Physics RAS. The cycle duration of the crystal product growth reduces tens times, cutting of the grown product into optical elements proves to be practically wasteless. This leads to reduction of product cost and significant shortening of product cycle duration. The quality of crystal growth and optical processing is consistent with the requirements of optical systems. This together with the described applied technologies has permitted to manufacture optical elements for a series of high-power lasers.