Fifth harmonic generation (5th HG) of a Nd:glass laser is an effective way to acquire high-energy coherent deep-ultraviolet radiation near 200 nm. In this work, cascade generation of the fifth harmonic of a Nd:glass laser in a 5 mm ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) crystal was investigated, and maximum conversion efficiency of 14% and large angular acceptance of 45 mrad were demonstrated at a noncritical phase-matching temperature of 75.1°C. However, as the results reveal, the temperature sensitivity and nonlinear absorption would hinder its high-energy application. As for that, based on the complementary relationship of the angle and temperature in the phase-matching condition, an upgraded focusing 5th HG design coupled with the cylindrical temperature distribution scheme was proposed. By this upgraded focusing design, more than the improvement of the conversion efficiency, the output 5ω near-field intensity distribution turns out to be insensitive to the temperature gradient. Potentially, this idea can be applied for many other frequency conversion schemes such as high-repetition frequency lasers, which have similar temperature gradient problems.

Collinear phase-matching of sum-frequency generation (SFG) has been studied thoroughly previously, while non-collinear schemes are sometimes more flexible in application. However, this phase-matching type is more difficult to meet and control. We employ a convenient method to obtain harmonic generation in bulk potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), using an incident wave vector and a reflected wave vector to create a triangle phase-matching relationship. With a simple, flexible set-up, we can observe 351 nm SFG, and the conversion efficiency is up to ～3.6% per reflection. Furthermore, we believe this approach has potential application value and improvement space.

Near infrared light-controlled release of payloads from ultraviolet-sensitive (UV-sensitive) polymer hydrogels or nanocarriers is one of the most promising strategies for biotherapy. Here, we propose the concept of light activation of NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Tm nanocrystals (NCs). NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Tm NCs are synthesized by a solvothermal method. Effective upconversion luminescence from NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Tm NCs excited by a continuous wave (CW) 980 nm laser is obtained. The NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Tm NCs are then used as a laser gain medium and sandwiched between Al and quartz reflectors to form laser microcavities. UV and blue upconverted random lasing is obtained from the laser microcavities. Hence, we verify explicitly that the NaYF4:Yb,Tm NCs support UV and blue upconversion random lasing via a 980 nm nanosecond laser excitation. Our work provides what we believe is a new concept for precision and localized cancer therapy by external light excitation.