Some features of lithium iodate used for intracavity second harmonic generation

The large scatter of efficiencies of intracavity conversion of λ = 1.064 μ cw laser radiation to the second harmonic in lithium iodate crystals is attributed to the irreproducibility of the crystal growth conditions. It is shown that the nonuniformity of the hydrogen ion distribution and the capture of accidental impurities have a decisive influence on the efficiency of intracavity second harmonic generation.