Product News/Press Release - 7 May, 2006

CCI presents CRS150 self-contained phase-matching angle adjusting system

May 1, 2006 Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) offers the CRS150 Counter Rotation Stage.   The CRS150 facilitates simultaneous angle-tuning of two crystals oriented for compensation of birefringent walkoff.  The walkoff compensation configuration provides increased nonlinear optical conversion efficiency reduces distortion, and minimizes beam displacement. .  Mounted in a compact footprint, the CRS150 provides smooth continuous operation via computer control with phase-matching software for second harmonic generation or optical parametric oscillation with specific crystals, manual micrometer adjustment, or stand-alone remote control of a motorized micrometer encoded for readout of relative position.

 

Product News/Press Release - 7 January 2005

CCI provides key crystals for Solar Physics Satellite Program

Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) has furnished a large number of ADP and KDP crystals for use in a Lyot filter to be integrated into the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Instrument on NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Satellite.  Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory is building the HMI in collaboration with the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory of Stanford University.    The scientific objective of the HMI is to investigate the solar interior using tools of helioseismology.  The projected launch date of SDO is April 2008.   The ADP and KDP crystal were grown and fabricated to precision tolerances by CCI for inclusion into a Lyot filter, a component of the HMI instrument.  

Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) has furnished a 39mm clear aperture CdSe Wollaston prism assembly and CdSe half-wave plate for CanariCam, a versatile mid-IR instrument that will be used on the GranTeCan 10m telescope, currently under construction in the Canary Islands, Spain. A world leader in the growth and fabrication of crystalline infrared optical materials, CCI designed these optical assemblies in conjunction with members of the University of Florida Department of Astronomy.

Through the use of CdSe half wave retarders and a Wollaston prism, diffraction limited dual-beam polarimetry will be performed to investigate distant objects in the Universe. The custom-designed Wollaston assembly and half-wave retarder facilitates polarimetric research, which permits research into the role magnetic fields play in fields as diverse as the formation of new stars or fuelling black holes. For additional information on CanariCam Click HERE

Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) offers the XTP line of large aperture, extremely thin KDP/KD*P plate and mounts suitable for harmonic generation and difference frequency mixing with ultra-short pulse lasers. A very thin crystal is required to minimize the effects of group velocity mismatch and group velocity dispersion in femtosecond lasers. KDP/KD*P offers the advantage of being available in very large apertures with high quality and high damage threshold. Large beam diameters reduce the likelihood of laser damage due to excessive intensity. Cleveland Crystals' precision manufacturing capability produces crystals with aspect ratios as large as 200:1 with low wavefront distortion. Complementing our ultra-thin crystal fabrication expertise is our capability to provide the world's largest aperture KDP/KD*P harmonic generators and wave plates, which have been fabricated with apertures as large as 420mm2. Transmitted wavefront error for these large-aperture devices are typically in the range of Lambda/5 or better at 633nm. Both the harmonic generators and wave plates are available with SolGel anti-reflection (AR) coatings.

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Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) has introduced a line of miniature BBO Pockels cells (mLG). BBO is preferred to KDP Pockels cells for high-average power and high repetition rate applications. The mLG Pockels cell is available in a range of dimensions, with apertures as small as 1mm diameter and lengths as short as 12.7mm. The combination of size and performance of the mLG Pockels cells are important for industrial laser applications such as microelectronics manufacturing, material processing, and image recording. mLG Pockels are available with or without windows and may be custom configured for the specific performance and envelope requirements of OEMs laser cavities.

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Long regarded as the world's leading supplier of infrared waveplates and frequency conversion crystals, Cleveland Crystals also offers achromatic waveplates for the IR region. Unlike traditional waveplates, which provide a specific optical retardance for a single wavelength, achromatic waveplates maintain a nearly constant retardance over a range of wavelengths. Our proprietary database and extensive fabrication experience permits us to design dual crystal achromatic waveplates for IR wavelength ranges from 2 to 13 microns. Extremely broadband AR coatings are available to enhance performance.

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Previously selected as the KDP/KD*P crystal vendor for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory NIF (National Ignition Facility) project, Cleveland Crystals has completed their facility upgrade and is currently delivering KDP and KD*P frequency conversion crystals and plasma electrode Pockels cell crystals as large as 42cm square. The company performs the entire process, from crystal growth of boules weighing up to 1500 pounds through finishing. The crystal deliveries will continue into 2007.

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Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) has been selected as the crystal finishing vendor for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory NIF (National Ignition Facility) project. In addition to finishing, Cleveland Crystals grows the KDP and KD*P used for optical switching and frequency conversion in the NIF laser. A grower of the world's largest KDP and KD*P boules, Cleveland Crystals employs both their proprietary growth method as well as the LLNL-developed rapid growth process. Cleveland Crystals has been the acknowledged world leader in large-aperture crystal optics since 1978.

Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) has developed a space-qualified QX1320 Q-switch to operate in a Q-switched Lidar system on the NASA ESSP-3-CENA mission. The goal of the ESSP-3-CENA mission is to improve climate predictions through the measurement of aerosol and cloud properties. The broad operating temperature range and vibration extremes associated with launch required a modified design of the QX1320 Q-switch. The QX1320 is a member of CCI's industry standard QX series of electro-optic Q-switches. Working directly with laser system designer, Fibertek Inc., CCI adapted their production sequence to accommodate the clean-room level bake-out and assembly requirements for the three-year space-based ESSP-3-CENA mission. Optical testing of the QX1320 prototype units prior to and following random-vibration testing in excess of 12g's rms, exhibited no performance degradation.

Cleveland Crystals, with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, has completed a two-year research effort, resulting in the deposition of Sol Gel Antireflective (AR) coatings on large-scale windows, prisms, and lenses, up to 0.8 meters diameter. The proprietary Sol Gel coatings are readily deposited on a wide variety of substrate materials and the pass-band can be centered to within 10 nanometers across the clear aperture. The coatings are broadband in nature, with reflective losses typically less than 1% per surface across hundreds of nanometers. This significantly reduces the stack-up losses associated with uncoated multi-element assemblies. The coatings are removable and do not require re-polishing the substrate. Because the operation is performed in ambient conditions, the process represents a low-risk alternative to limited-availability conventional vacuum-based multi-layer dielectric coatings. Optics up to 1 meter diameter can be coated at the Cleveland Crystals production facility.

Cleveland Crystals' Coating Department enhances their optical thin film coating capabilities to include dual ion-beam sputter deposition. The new ion beam capacity supplements the existing ion-assisted evaporative and Sol Gel coating services. Ion beam sputtering produces stable, low loss films, with a very densely packed structure and smooth surface. The ion beam technique allows precise control of the film deposition and surface properties. Utilizing proprietary and commercial (Essential Macleod) thin film design software, the Coating Specialists are able to custom design single and multi-layer optical thin films to meet diverse customer requirements. The Cleveland Crystals Coating department is available for contract coating assignments. Typical contract coating projects include laser rods, narrow-band filters, optical parametric oscillators, prisms, high-efficiency reflectors, single and multiband reflectors, and beam splitters. Cleveland Crystals has a wide range of diagnostics to analyse the performance of these coatings. These diagnostics include spectrophotometry, surface profilometery, and laser calorimetry. Mil spec testing can be performed when required.

Dr. Robert Eckardt, well-respected expert on nonlinear optical materials, has joined Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) as a Senior Scientist.    Dr. Eckardt earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University and has held positions at the University of Arizona's Optical Sciences Center, Naval Research Laboratory, Stanford University, and the US Air Force Wright Laboratory.  Dr. Eckardt has authored or co-authored 78 publications and is currently a topical editor in the area of nonlinear optics for Optics Letters.  Gary Catella, VP of Technology at CCI, enthusiastically states, Dr. Eckardt's expertise in nonlinear optical materials and optical parametric oscillators will solidify Cleveland Crystals position as the world leader in nonlinear optics and help augment novel device development efforts at CCI.

Jeffrey R. Luken has been named President of Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI).  The announcement was made by Archie Gooch, Chairman of Gooch & Housego, Plc, Cleveland Crystals' parent company.  Mr. Luken, a 23 year employee at CCI, most recently served as Executive Vice President.  Previously, Mr. Luken acted as Manager of ICF Products, an area in which CCI is the worlds leading supplier of half meter class KDP/KD*P optics.  Other CCI posts held by Mr. Luken include General Manager and Production Manager.   Mr. Luken will report to Mr. Paul Kenrick, CEO of Gooch & Housego, Plc. 

"This completes the management team which will lead the Gooch & Housego group toward future growth.  Jeff's detailed knowledge of and experience in the laser marketplace will be of great benefit as we position Cleveland Crystals to become the world leader in crystalline laser optics and devices," noted Mr. Kenrick.  

 Luken added, " I look forward to continuing CCI's commitment to technical excellence and customer service.  Cleveland Crystals is well positioned to take advantage of the rapid growth of diode pumped solid state lasers, specifically for semiconductor and telecommunications markets.    We also plan to leverage our relationship with Gooch & Housego, a preeminent supplier of acousto-optic devices and precision optics, to better serve our customers."

To better serve the expanding market for high quality UV-grade BBO, Cleveland Crystals, Inc. is tripling its production capacity.  As the first commercial US producer of BBO, the company aims to satisfy the high-average-power, high- repetition- rate needs of diode-pumped solid-state and CW lasers. Cleveland Crystals' fabrication capabilities range from extremely small micro laser components to very large crystals used for wide tuning range OPO/OPAs.  Cleveland Crystals BBO is recognized for consistent quality, large crystal sizes with low absorption, low scatter and a large-temperature acceptance bandwidth.   To supplement the UV-grade BBO, Cleveland Crystals offers a broad range of AR coatings from cost-effective single-layer coatings to high-performance multi-layer designs for all known BBO applications.  Sol Gel and hybrid Sol Gel coatings are available for the ultimate in laser damage resistance.

Cleveland Crystals' Light-Gate Pockels cell utilizes high-quality BBO, and is ideal for high frequency applications where piezoelectric ringing cannot be tolerated.  The GateMaster, an integrated electronic driver and Pockels cell assembly, employs the Light-Gate as the optical element.

Jeff Luken, President of Cleveland Crystals, states " This capacity expansion positions us as the leading supplier of BBO, to compliment our market-leading positions in electro-optic Q-switches and large cross section KDP/KD*P."

Archie Gooch, Chairman of Gooch & Housego PLC, the parent company of Cleveland Crystals, Inc. (CCI) announced on October 18, 1999 he has assembled a new senior management team.   Heading the team is Executive Vice-President Jeffrey Luken, a 23-year employee at CCI.  Most recently, at CCI, Mr. Luken acted as Manager of ICF Products, which includes large crystal production for University of Rochester LLE (OMEGA upgrade) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's NIF project.  Mr. Luken has previously served as General Manager and Production Manager.   Other members of the management group are Cheryl Karbowicz (Vice president, Administration), Larry Latanich (Vice president, ICF Products), Gary C. Catella (Vice president, Engineering) and Brent Gross (Vice president, Sales & Marketing).  Serving as financial advisor to the group is Mr. Stan Burlage, a 26-year veteran of Cleveland Crystals, who is Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.     Dr. Eugene G. Arthurs, current President of CCI, has accepted the position of Executive Director at SPIE.   Dr. Arthurs will assume his new role at SPIE on November 1, 1999 and will continue to act in an advisory role to Cleveland Crystals. 

 "The team we've assembled positions us well to follow through on the focus and growth path defined by Dr. Arthurs," Mr. Luken commented. 

Founded in 1973, Cleveland Crystals, Inc. is the value-driven provider of laser optics products and services.  Products include crystal optics, electro-optic and nonlinear optical devices, thin-film design and coating services, consulting services and integrated optical assemblies.    In 1999, Cleveland Crystals became a member of the Gooch & Housego group, which includes Optronics Laboratories Inc. (OLI) and Gooch & Housego PLC.

Cleveland Crystals, Inc., the world leader in nonlinear electro-optic materials, introduces a proprietary, fully integrated electro-optic driver and Q-switch for high-performance operation Q switches.   The compact driver unit provides extremely short 1.5 nsec rise times and repetition rates up to 10KHz.  While the unit can be ordered with the entire range of Cleveland Crystals QX and Impact Pockels cells, it can also be retrofitted with existing stand-alone Cleveland Crystals Q-switches. Since the optics and electronics are optimized as a single unit, Cleveland Crystals assumes full responsibility for device performance.  EMI suppression is a key design feature of the unit.  The tiny unit weighs less than 750 grams and has external dimensions of 2.5  X 2.5  X 7.5 inches.  While the device size is significantly smaller than traditional piecemeal driver/Q-switch assemblies, the price is lower as well.  For research-based applications, this compact unit simplifies installation, set-up and operation, as well as freeing up optical table space.  For OEM applications, it eliminates driver design and acquisition headaches, while providing a simple trigger interface and permits a smaller laser enclosure.

GateMaster
High Rep Rate BBO Pockels Cell System

Click for more details

Cleveland Crystals is proud to announce the GateMaster: Our new High Repetition Rate BBO Pockels Cell System!  GateMaster incorporates the Light-Gate BBO Pockels cell, with Low Piezoelectric Ringing, and offers the following features:

• Low Insertion Loss
• High Fluence Capacity
• Compact,, Air Cooled design
• High Damage Threshold AR coatings

Gooch & Housego PLC of Ilminster, England, recently acquired Cleveland Crystals Inc. So we have joined Optronic Laboratories and the parent company to from the Gooch & Housego Group.

Gooch & Housego PLC (G & H) was founded in 1946 and since that time the company has gained a reputation for excellence in high quality optical fabrication with special expertise in crystalline materials. In recent years G & H has become the world leader in acousto-optic Q switches and has added to its significant optical polishing capacity with lens fabrication capability. Q switches and other optics are coated in-house with high damage threshold optical coatings . G & H is also  known for its unique expertise in the working of optical materials for non optical applications.

For more information contact sales@clevelandcrytsals.com

Optronic Laboratories Inc. has been the authority for products for accurate spectroradiometry for more than twenty years. The company offers instruments for characterizing light sources, from sunlamps to LEDs and custom instruments for detector characterization over a wide spectral range.  For information olinet.com

Cleveland Crystals' new IMPACT! Pockels cell combines ultra high damage threshold and high contrast ratio with compact package size and low insertion loss, all at a reasonable price.  Designed for tough industrial applications, the new IMPACT! offers 10 and 13 mm aperture options, both in a convenient 1-inch diameter package.  Ablation-resistant aperture shields and damage resistant, low-loss SolGel AR coatings permit optimum, low-risk transmission at very high intensities.  Cleveland Crystals' new IMPACT! Pockels cell offers original equipment manufacturers superior value, reliable performance and fast delivery.

CCI's Silver Gallium Sulfide (AGS), Silver Gallium Selenide (AGSe) and Silver Gallium Indium Selenide (AGISe) crystals are featured on the cover of the July 1998 MRS Bulletin. The photo shows both slabs and finished bars, along with a transmission spectrum. The article on p. 28 of that issue entitled "Crystal Growth and Optical Properties of AgGaS2 and AgGaSe2" was written by CCI staff member Gary C. Catella. His photo appears on p. 21

Light-Gate II BBO Pockels Cell

Popular Series QX Pockels Cell Puts On A New Face

Click to see larger image (132K)

Wave Plates
New Wave Plate Line from Cleveland Crystals, Inc.

Cleveland Crystals, Inc. introduces a new line of UV-VIS-NIR wave plates optimized for popular wavelengths between 266 and 1550 nm. Multiple order and net zero order sets are available for quarter and half wave retardation. Rapid delivery and standard AR coatings provide exceptional value to commercial, educational and government organizations. Cleveland Crystals, Inc. is the premier manufacturer of multiple order, net zero order, single element zero order, tilt tunable and achromatic infrared wave plates

Series XH
Extremely Versatile Crystal Holder

The new Series XH crystal holder from Cleveland Crystals, Inc. protects moisture sensitive crystals while providing both a large aperture (10x10, 12x12, & 9x12 mm sizes available) and a small package (1 inch outside diameter). Ideally suited for BBO and KDP, this innovative housing surrounds input and output apertures with highly damage resistant ceramic tiles. It can be configured with a number of options including thermal stabilization hardware, dry gas purge manifolds and solgel antireflection (AR) coatings. The Series XH can be used with or without windows. Click HERE to see an engineering drawing.

CX819
Miniature Longitudinal Mode Pockels Cell (Q-Switch)

Ready for the OEM marketplace, the Model CX819 miniature Pockels cell from Cleveland Crystals, Inc. is now available with dielectric AR coatings on the cell windows. Lower unit cost makes this device attractive for large scale product integration. At 0.750 inch diameter x 1.18 inch long with 8mm diameter damage resistant ceramic aperture caps the CX819 provides designers of compact laser cavities on of the most durable Q-switches on the planet. For more demanding applications, CX819 windows can be configured with hardened solgel AR coatings. Solgel AR coatings on the crystal surfaces are standard. For more details and specifications, click HERE