Progress on electro-optic crystals for Q-switches

Electro-optic Q-switched laser systems with high peak power have been widely applied in medical, cosmetology, measurement, processing, military industry, and other fields, while the crystal for electro-optic Q-switch is the core optoelectronic material for outputting high peak power pulse laser. With the technological progress and the development of short pulse, high repeat frequency and high power laser system application, the performance of crystals for electro-optic Q-switch is constantly improved. The paper reviews the research progress on basic characteristics, crystal preparation technology and electro-optic Q-switch application technology of several important electro-optic crystals for Q-switches including lithium niobate (LN) crystal, deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystal, low temperature phase barium metaborate (BBO) crystal, rubidium oxygen titanium phosphate (RTP) crystal, langasite (LGS) crystal and potassium titanium oxide phosphate (KTP) crystal, and propose that the research on practical electro-optic crystals for Q-switches is urgent to make breakthroughs. For a long time to come, exploring the electro-optic crystal materials, with high electro-optic coefficient, high laser damage threshold, stable performance, high temperature applicability and low cost, will be still an important issue in the field of crystal materials research.