Crystals Materials
Comparing CLBO, LBO, BBO, and KTP Crystals
Four nonlinear crystals compared
CLBO, LBO, BBO and KTP cover most frequency-conversion needs, but each owns a different region of the design space. The short version: KTP for efficient low-power green, LBO for high-power green/UV, BBO for UV and OPO, and CLBO specifically for high-power deep-UV (266 nm).
| Crystal | Best at | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| KTP | Efficient green (532 nm), low/medium power, OPO | Grey-tracking at high average power; no deep UV |
| LBO | High-power green/UV (532/355 nm), NCPM, OPCPA | Moderate efficiency; not for 266 nm |
| BBO | UV (355 nm), deep-UV (266 nm), broadband OPO | Narrow angular acceptance; walk-off |
| CLBO | High-power deep-UV (266 nm and shorter) | Hygroscopic — needs dry/temperature-controlled housing |
Choosing among the four
- 266 nm deep-UV at high power → CLBO (BBO if lower power).
- 532 nm green, low/medium power → KTP.
- 532/355 nm, high average power → LBO.
- Broadband OPO / UV flexibility → BBO.
For deeper detail see the dedicated BBO vs LBO vs KTP and BBO vs LBO vs KDP comparisons and the CLBO deep-UV article.
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