Ultraviolet laser-induced degradation of CsLiB_6O_10 and β-BaB_2O_4

We investigated ultraviolet (UV) laser-induced degradation of nonlinear optical crystal CsLiB6O10 (CLBO) and β-BaB2O4 (BBO) using a high-repetition-rate pulsed laser. In this research, we found that the degradation of CLBO was caused by a UV-induced refractive index change at a peak power density higher than a few tens of MW/cm2. On the other hand, BBO exhibited lower UV transmittance at a higher intensity of 10 MW/cm2 and the UV absorption increased with time due to the formation of an absorption center. Moreover, we confirmed that the degradation resistance of CLBO with fewer light scattering defects was improved.