BAE Systems produces crystals and other materials for use primarily in shifting the wavelength and frequency of laser light. We work with government research organizations, academia, and industry, both in the U.S. and internationally, to develop high-quality crystals for use in optical systems. Applications include infrared countermeasures, threat detection and targeting systems, sensor protection, infrared spectrometry, laser surgery, coherent x-ray generation, THz generation, and high-power, directed-energy lasers.
Production capabilities
For more than 25 years we have refined specialized development processes in our world-class, 3,000-square-foot, bulk crystal growth facility and III-V semiconductor epitaxial growth facilities. We specialize in the following research and development areas:
Infrared optical materials
Design, produce, and characterize optical materials for operation in the infrared, enabling diverse applications ranging from basic science research to the next generation of military optical systems.
Nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals
Develop unique, world class mid-infrared NLO crystals exhibiting high gain, broad wavelength coverage, and scalability to high energies and average powers to enable new laser applications.
Crystal growth process development
Leverage a deep understanding of materials science to develop growth and fabrication processes that reliably produce high-quality crystals.
Zinc Germanium Phosphide (ZGP, ZnGeP2)
Cadmium Silicon Phosphide (CSP, CdSiP2)
Orientation Patterned Gallium Arsenide (OP-GaAs)
Orientation Patterned Gallium Phosphide (OP-GaP)
Comparison of crystals
| Property | ZGP | CSP | OP-GaAs | OPGaP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonlinear coefficient, dij [pm/V] | 75 | 84.5 | 94 | 70 |
| Transparency range [μm] | 0.72-12 | 0.50-9 | 0.5-12 | 0.57-12 |
| Thermal conductivity [w/mK] | 35 | 14 | 55 | 110 |
| Laser damage threshold [J/cm2] | ~3 | ~3 | ~3 | ~5 |
| Knoop hardness [kg/mm2] | 980 | 930 | 750 |
850 |
Other Materials
Additional exotic crystals produced at BAE Systems include:
- New Barium Ternary and Quaternary Compounds (BGSe, BGS, BGGSe, BGGS): With phase matching that is amenable to angle tuning across a broad range of wavelengths (2-16 μm) with 1-2 μm sources, these crystals are under active research to improve crystal quality and size.
- Cadmium Germanium Arsenide (CGA, CdGeAs2): Exhibits the highest nonlinear coefficient (236 pm/V) among known compounds.
- Silver Gallium Selenide (AgSe, AgGaSe2): Available from other suppliers but increasingly difficult to purchase, BAE Systems produced devices > 40-mm-long with record performance for frequency-doubling CO2 lasers.
- Quarternary thio- and seleno-gallates: AgGaGeS4 and AgGaGe5Se12 crystals have been grown at BAE Systems as lower-gain alternatives for 1-μm laser pumping.
- Gallium Selenide (GaSe): Available from other suppliers, this extremely soft and micaceous crystal has a high nonlinearity, broad IR transparency, and very large birefringence. BAE Systems has successfully produced Wollaston prisms using this material.
- Mixed ternary III-V semiconductors: Using our unique Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy (HVPE) facility, BAE Systems can produce bulk wafers of InGaAs, InGaP, InAsP, and GaInAsP with thicknesses = 1mm for applications requiring lattice constant or band-gap engineering.
Place an order
Before you order: Identify the best NLO crystal for your application using this free crystal selection software from AS-Photonics.
To order: For detailed technical information or to request a quote, contact us at crystals.dles@baesystems.com
Recent patents
- 9069229 – Nonlinear Optical Cadmium Silicon Phosphide Crystal for Use in Surgical Laser
- 8493649 – Method of Producing Nonlinear Optical Crystal Cadmium Silicon Phosphide
- 8379296 – Nonlinear Optical Cadmium Silicon Phosphide Crystal and Producing Method and Devices Therefrom
- 6714578 – Calcium Gallium Sulphide as a High Gain Erbium Host
FAST Labs™ Advanced Technology and Defense R&D
The FAST Labs™ R&D group of BAE Systems pushes the limits of what is possible; to create advanced technologies that give our customers the edge they need to win and our employees the chance to change the world.