α-BBO (α-BaB2O4) is a negative uniaxial crystal with large birefringence in a wide transparency range from 190nm to 3500nm. The physical, chemical, thermal and optical properties of α-BBO crystals are similar to β-BBO. However, due to the centrosymmetricity of its crystal structure, the nonlinear optical properties of α-BBO crystals do not exist. α-BBO crystals are not recommended for NLO processes.
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Stable physical and mechanical properties; high UV transmittance, high birefringence; high damage threshold; low moisture absorption sensitivity
α-BBO is an excellent crystal for making polarizers, polarization shifters, time delay compensation plates and other birefringent devices, especially for UV and high power applications.