Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microresonators can greatly enhance light–matter interaction, making them indispensable units for frequency conversion in nonlinear optics. Efficient nonlinear wave mixing in microresonators requires stringent simultaneous optical resonance and phase-matching conditions. Thus, it is challenging to achieve efficient frequency conversion over a broad bandwidth. Here, we demonstrate broadband second-harmonic generation (SHG) in the x-cut thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) microdisk with a quality factor above 10⁷ by applying the cyclic quasi-phase-matching (CQPM) mechanism, which is intrinsically applicable for broadband operation. Broadband SHG of continuous-wave laser with a maximum normalized conversion efficiency of ∼15%/mW is achieved with a bandwidth spanning over 100 nm in the telecommunication band. Furthermore, broadband SHG of femtosecond lasers, supercontinuum lasers, and amplified spontaneous emission in the telecommunication band is also experimentally observed. The work is beneficial for integrated nonlinear photonics devices like frequency converters and optical frequency comb generator based on second-order nonlinearity on the TFLN platform.

Optical frequency conversion based on the second-order nonlinearity (χ(2)) only occurs in anisotropic media (or at interfaces) and thus is intrinsically polarization-dependent. But for practical applications, polarization-insensitive or independent operation is highly sought after. Here, by leveraging polarization coupling and second-order nonlinearity, we experimentally demonstrate a paradigm of TE/TM polarization-independent frequency upconversion, i.e., sum frequency generation, in the periodically poled lithium niobate-on-insulator ridge waveguide. The cascading of quasi-phase-matched polarization coupling and nonlinear frequency conversion is exploited. With a proper transverse electric field, TE and TM mode fundamental waves can be frequency-upconverted with an equal efficiency in the frequency converter. The proposed method may find ready application in all-optical wavelength conversion and upconversion detection technologies.

We design and fabricate an unbalanced Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) via electron beam lithography and inductively coupled plasma etching on lithium niobate thin film. The single unbalanced MZI exhibits a maximum extinction ratio of 32.4 dB and a low extra loss of 1.14 dB at the telecommunication band. Furthermore, tunability of the unbalanced MZI by harnessing the thermo-optic and electro-optic effect is investigated, achieving a linear tuning efficiency of 42.8 pm/°C and 55.2 pm/V, respectively. The demonstrated structure has applications for sensing and filtering in photonic integrated circuits.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) is a fundamental physical characteristic to describe laser fields with a spiral phase structure. Vortex beams carrying OAMs have attracted more and more attention in recent years. However, the wavefront of OAM light would be destroyed when it passes through scattering media. Here, based on the feedback-based wavefront shaping method, we reconstitute OAM wavefronts behind strongly scattering media. The intensity of light with desired OAM states is enhanced to 150 times. This study provides a method to manipulate OAMs of scattered light and is of great significance for OAM optical communication and imaging to overcome complex environment interference.

At the surfaces of crystals, linear susceptibility tensors would differ from their counterparts in the interior of the bulk crystal. However, this phenomenon has not been shown in a visible way yet. In previous researches, numerous types of nonlinear Cherenkov radiation based on different materials have been studied, while linear Cherenkov radiation is barely reported. We experimentally prove the generation of linear Cherenkov radiation on the potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal surface and theoretically analyze its phase-matching scheme. In our study, o-polarized light and e-polarized light can mutually convert through the linear Cherenkov process. According to this result, we figure out new nonzero elements at off-diagonal positions in the linear susceptibility tensor matrix at crystal surfaces, compared with the normal form of a bulk KDP.

为了描述完全偏振光在非线性晶体中传播时的偏振态及相位变化，本文基于Ortega-Quijano等人在推导非线性晶体的广义琼斯矩阵时采用的微分广义琼斯矩阵方法，提出了本征广义琼斯矩阵方法。与微分广义琼斯矩阵方法相比，本征广义琼斯矩阵方法使用了更精确的数学技巧，在描述光在非线性晶体中传播的物理过程上更为严谨。解决了微分广义琼斯矩阵不能计算斜入射光或者光轴与实验室坐标不重合时光的偏振变化的问题。首先，根据折射率椭球方程和光的入射方向，计算出非线性晶体中本征光的传播方向和折射率。然后，给出了本征光的本征广义琼斯矩阵。最后，计算了本征光的偏振态和相位变化。本文使用本征广义琼斯矩阵对带有一个奇点的涡旋光在KDP晶体中的传播情况进行模拟计算，计算结果表明，本征广义琼斯矩阵方法能够描述任意入射角度、任意光轴方向的完全偏振光在非线性晶体中的传播过程。

We observe conical sum-frequency generation in a bulk anomalous-like dispersion medium, which is attributed to complete phase-matching of one fundamental wave and the scattering wave of the other fundamental wave. In addition, efficient sum-frequency output is achieved making use of total internal reflection with conversion efficiency of 7.9% by only one reflection. The experiment proposes a new phase-matching mode under an anomalous-like dispersion condition, which suggests potential applications in efficient frequency conversion.

In this Letter, we investigate a method for controlling the intensity of a light by another light in a periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate (PPMgLN) crystal with a transverse applied external electric field. The power of the emergent light can be modulated by the power ratio of the incident ordinary and extraordinary beams. The light intensity control is experimentally demonstrated by the Mach–Zehnder interference configuration, and the results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.