China introduces first-ever deep UV laser device

Beijing, China - The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has introduced a deep ultraviolet (DUV) solid-state laser device, reportedly making the country the first in the world to possess such technology.

CAS president Bai Chunli said that the successful testing of the device suggests CAS's dedication to major innovation and developmental breakthroughs.

When the use of potassium beryllium fluoroborate (KBBF) stalled the project, Chen Chuangtian, a CAS member, along with Xu Zuyuan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, turned to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for help.

Xu said that they were allowed to use the university's labs because Chinese mainland research institutes did not have similar ones at that time. Xu added that the scientists made many strenuous attempts before inventing a KBBF prism-coupling device.

The device marks the world's first-ever output of the 1064 nm wavelength's six-harmonic frequency multiplication, shortening the diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPL)'s wavelength to 177.3 nm.

Based on this achievement, the scientists later managed to develop an applicable DUV DPL. A KBBF prism coupling device-based DPL source features a small size, high energy resolution, and high photon influx density.