Review of quasi-phasematching and periodically poled lithium niobate

The technique of quasi-phasematching allows tailoring the properties of existing well-developed nonlinear optical materials for the desired interaction. Practical implementation of quasi-phasematching is now possible with the recent development of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). This paper describes the status and use of engineered nonlinear optical materials, particularly PPLN, and their impact on quasi-phasematched nonlinear optical devices. Recent successes with these materials include high-power optical parametric oscillators widely tunable over the technologically important mid-infrared spectral range 1-5 μm. This technology is useful for a variety of military, scientific, and commercial applications