Nonlinear Crystal Ovens


  • Ovens for Controlling the Temperature of Nonlinear Crystals
  • Holds Crystals at Temperatures from Ambient to 200 °C
  • Pin Alignment Features Allow for Easy Crystal Installation
  • Compatible with Thorlabs' TC300B Temperature Controller

NLCH1

Oven for Nonlinear Crystals up to 15 mm Long

NLCH2

Oven for Nonlinear Crystals up to 30 mm Long

An NLCL8 noncritical phase matching crystal is mounted in an NLCH2 oven to maintain its temperature for phase matching.

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Key Common Specificationsa
Operating Temperature Ambient to 200 °C
Clear Aperture Ø0.18" (4.6 mm)b
Beam Height 1.00" (25.4 mm)
Input Voltage 24 V Max
Heater Power 15 W Max @ 24 V
Electrical Connection 6-Pin Female Hirosec
Recommended Controller TC300Bd
  • See the Specs tab for complete specifications.
  • When the SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) plug is removed, the aperture is Ø1/2".
  • Compatible with Item # HR10CAB1 (Included) and Item # HR10AD1
  • Sold Separately Below
The cover of an NLCH2 oven is shown being removed, revealing the interior of the oven with an NLCL8 crystal mounted on the heater deck.
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Figure 1.1  The cover of an NLCH2 oven is shown being removed, revealing the interior of the oven with an NLCL8 crystal mounted on the heater deck.
NLCH2 Controlled by the TC300B Temperature Controller
Click to Enlarge

Figure 1.2  An NLCH2 nonlinear crystal oven is shown operated by the TC300B Temperature Controller.

Features

  • Internal Temperatures Controllable from Ambient to 200 °C
  • Designed for Drop-In Compatibility for Thorlabs' Mounted LBO Nonlinear Crystals
  • Options for Mounting Crystals up to 15.0 mm or 30.0 mm Long
  • 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Mounting Holes on Bottom of Oven
  • Compatible with our 30 mm Cage Systems
  • Ø0.18" (4.6 mm) Clear Aperture in Removable SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Plug

Thorlabs' Nonlinear Crystal Ovens are designed for controlling the temperature of our LBO (Lithium Triborate or LiB3O5) Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) Crystals. Each oven has a Ø0.18" (4.6 mm) clear aperture through which incident and generated light can pass. The housings of our LBO crystals are designed to provide drop-in compatibility with the ovens; two pins on the oven's heater deck fit into holes in the LBO crystal's housing to ensure proper alignment. The NLCH1(/M) oven accepts our mounted crystals with lengths up to 15.00 mm, while the NLCH2(/M) oven fits crystals up to 30.00 mm long.

A temperature controller, such as our TC300B temperature controller which is sold below, is required for controlling the oven temperature via the 6-pin Hirose connector on the oven's housing, as shown in Figure 1.2. A 6-pin male-to-male Hirose cable is included with each oven; we also offer the HR10AD1 6-pin Hirose cable with breakout box (sold separately below) for connecting to other temperature controllers or custom wiring. We do not recommend using our previous generation TC300 temeprature controller, as its temperature stability is insufficient for the sensitivity of our crystals.

Temperature alters the refractive index of materials, and the longer the path through the material, the greater the impact of this altered refractive index on phase matching conditions. Under phase matched conditions, the efficiency of the SHG process is improved, enabling the intensity of the SHG and SFG light to increase exponentially with propagation distance through the crystal. Our LBO crystals are significantly longer than our β-BBO crystals, so the temperature of the crystal plays a significant role in the nonlinear process due to the increased phase matching sensitivity. This dependence is especially pronounced in noncritical phase matching (NCPM) crystals such as Item #s NLCL8 and NLCL9, but we recommended using these ovens to optimize SHG and SFG efficiency for all of our LBO nonlinear crystals. For more information on SHG, SFG, and our LBO nonlinear crystals, please see the full web presentation for the crystals.

NLCH1 Oven Cover and Screws
Click to Enlarge

Figure 1.3  Four screws on the top of the oven can be removed to open the cover and access the heater deck.
NLCH1 Interior Screws
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Figure 1.4  Two interior screws can be removed to mount a nonlinear crystal in the ovens.
NLCH1 Interior Screws
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Figure 1.5  Each removable SM05-threaded plug has a Ø0.18" aperture.

To mount a crystal in an oven, first take off the oven's cover by removing the four M2.5 x 0.45 cap screws shown in Figure 1.3 using a 2.0 mm (5/64") hex key. Then remove the two M2.5 x 0.45 cap screws inside the oven (shown in Figure 1.4). Align the holes in the crystal mount with the pins in the oven, and secure the mount in place using the two previously removed cap screws.

Each oven features four 4-40 threaded holes on the front and back faces, providing compatibility with our 30 mm Cage Systems for easy incorporation into an optical path. The ovens can be mounted directly to our PY005(/M) 5-Axis Stage via the central #8 (M4) counterbore and two dowel pin holes on the stage (dowel pins not included). The entrance and exit faces of each oven contain a plug (shown in Figure 1.5) that can be removed with an SPW908 spanner wrench to expose an SM05-threaded hole, expanding the aperture to Ø1/2". Users can also use custom plugs or add windows mounted in SM05 lens tubes at the entrance and exit apertures.

Specifications
Item # NLCH1(/M) NLCH2(/M)
Compatible Crystal Lengths Up to 15.00 mma Up to 30.0 mma,b
Operating Temperature Ambient to 200 °C
Clear Aperture Ø0.18" (4.6 mm)
Beam Height 1.00" (25.4 mm)
Input Voltage 24 V Max
Heater Power 15 W Max @ 24 V
Heater Resistance 38.4 Ω
Electrical Connection 6-Pin Female Hirosec
Dimensions (H x W x D) 1.87" x 2.51" x 1.95"
(47.4 mm x 63.8 mm x 49.5 mm)
1.87" x 2.51" x 2.50"
(47.4 mm x 63.8 mm x 63.5 mm)
Weight 0.22 kg 0.27 kg
Recommended Controller TC300Bd
Recommended Settings for the TC300B Controller
Setting Name Setting Value
Thermistor Type NTC1
Thermistor Beta Value 3976 K
R0 10 kΩ
T0 25 °C
Temp Resolution Setting High Resolution
Temperature Max 200 °C
Sample PID Configurationa P: 0.06 A/K, I: 16.75 A/K⋅s, D: 4.18 A⋅s/K
  • These PID settings are an example starting point. We recommend running the "AutoTune" function.

NLCH1(/M) and NLCH2(/M) Nonlinear Crystal Ovens
6-Pin Hirose Connector

Pin Diagram
Pin Assignment
1 Heater Input
2 Heater Input Return
3 Not Connected
4 Thermistor Input (+)
5 Thermistor Input Ground
6 Not Connected
NLCH2 Shipping List
Click to Enlarge

Figure 4.1  Nonlinear Crystal Oven and Included Cable

Shipping List

Item # NLCH1(/M) or NLCH2(/M) Includes:

  • Nonlinear Crystal Oven
  • HR10CAB1 6-Pin, Male-to-Male Hirose Cable, 3 m Long

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Ovens for Nonlinear Crystals

NLCL1 Mounted in an NLCH1 Crystal Oven for Temperature Control
Click to Enlarge

Figure G1.1  An NLCL1 nonlinear crystal is mounted in an NLCH1 oven (cover removed) for temperature control.
  • Heating from Ambient Temperature to 200 °C
  • Drop-In Compatibility for Thorlabs' LBO Nonlinear Crystals
  • Ø0.18" (4.6 mm) Clear Aperture in Removable SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Plug
  • One HR10CAB1 3 m Long, Male-to-Male Hirose Cable Included with Each Oven
  • Requires a Temperature Controller Such as our TC300B Controller (Sold Separately Below)

The NLCH1(/M) and NLCH2(/M) Nonlinear Crystal Ovens are designed to provide temperature control and stability for nonlinear crystals with lengths up to 15.00 mm long or up to 30.00 mm long, respectively. When mounting a Thorlabs' LBO nonlinear crystal in the oven, pin holes in the crystal's housing mate with pins on the oven's heater deck to simplify alignment. To mount a crystal in the oven, first remove the four M2.5 x 0.45 cap screws using a 2.0 mm hex key to remove the cover. Then remove the two M2.5 x 0.45 cap screws inside the oven and align the holes in the crystal mount with the pins in the oven and fasten using the two previously removed cap screws. An example of an NLCL1 crystal mounted in the NLCH1 oven is shown in Figure G1.1.

Each oven features four 4-40 threaded holes on the front and back faces, providing compatibility with our 30 mm Cage Systems for easy incorporation into an optical path. The ovens can be mounted directly to our PY005(/M) 5-Axis Stage via two of the Ø0.13" (3.2 mm) dowel pin holes on the bottom side of the oven (dowel pins not included) and the #8 (M4) central counterbore on the stage. The entrance and exit faces of each oven contain a plug that can be removed with an SPW908 spanner wrench to expose an SM05-threaded hole. The included plugs can be replaced with windows mounted in SM05 lens tubes or other user-customized, SM05-threaded components.

The ovens require a temperature controller such as our TC300B temperature controller (sold below) in order to operate, using the included 6-pin Hirose cable.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Imperial Price Available
NLCH1 Support Documentation
NLCH1NEW!Oven for 10 and 15 mm Length Nonlinear Crystals (Imperial)
$1,500.00
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NLCH2 Support Documentation
NLCH2NEW!Oven for 20 and 30 mm Length Nonlinear Crystals (Imperial)
$1,550.00
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+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Metric Price Available
NLCH1/M Support Documentation
NLCH1/MNEW!Oven for 10 and 15 mm Length Nonlinear Crystals (Metric)
$1,500.00
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NLCH2/M Support Documentation
NLCH2/MNEW!Oven for 20 and 30 mm Length Nonlinear Crystals (Metric)
$1,550.00
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Heater Temperature Controller

Key Specificationsa
Output Power per Channel 48 W (Max)
Output Current per Channel 2 A (Max)
Output Voltage per Channel 24 V (Max)
Temperature Setting Range -200 to 400 °Cb
Set Point Resolution 0.1 °C / 0.001 °Cc
Temperature Stability ±0.1 °C
Output Connector Type Hirose HR10A-7R-6S(73)
USB Interface USB 2.0 Type-B
Power Supply 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz, 165 VA Max
Operating Temperature 0 - 40 °C
Storage Temperature -15 - 65 °C
Dimensions (H x W x D) 86.6 mm x 154.3 mm x 327.8 mm
(3.41” x 6.07” x 12.91”)
Weight 1.7 kg
  • See the full web presentation for complete specifications.
  • Sensor Dependent
  • 0.001 °C Resolution Only In High Resolution Mode; Requires NTC Thermistor
  • Control Temperature from -200 °C to 400 °C
  • Run Standalone or via Software
  • Programmable PID with Auto-Tuning Functionality

The TC300B Heater and Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) Temperature Controller is a two-channel benchtop controller intended for use with resistive heating elements and thermoelectric cooler devices rated up to 48 W. It can be used to provide temperature control from ambient to 200 °C for the nonlinear crystal ovens above. User-programmable maximum temperature and current/voltage limits protect the connected heating element from being overheated or over driven. Other safety features include an Open Sensor Alarm that will shut down the driver if the temperature sensing element is missing or becomes disconnected.

Capable of standalone operation from a simple keypad interface, this controller can also be connected to and controlled from a PC using the included USB Type-B cable and our TC300B Software, LabVIEW®* drivers, LabWindows drivers, or a simple command-line interface from any terminal window.

See the full web presentation for more information on the features of the TC300B controller.

*LabVIEW® is a registered trademark of National Instruments Corporation.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
TC300B Support Documentation
TC300BHeater and TEC Temperature Controller
$1,060.29
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6-Pin Hirose Cables

Hirose Connector Drawing
Click to Enlarge

Figure G3.2  Male Hirose Connector
Wire Diagram
Click to Enlarge

Figure G3.3  Wire Diagram
HR10AD1
Click to Enlarge

Figure G3.1  The ports of the HR10AD1 breakout box are labeled with pin numbers. Blank labels are also provided for custom pin assignments.
  • Two Oven-Compatible Hirose Cable Options for Replacement or Customization
    • Item # HR10CAB1: 3.0 m (9.84') Long Male-to-Male Cable (Included with Ovens)
    • Item # HR10AD1: 1.8 m (5.90') Long 6-Pin Male Hirose to Breakout Box Cable
  • Compatible with:
    • TC300B Heater and TEC Temperature Controller and Previous Generation TC300 Heater Temperature Controller
    • NLCH1(/M) and NLCH2(/M) Nonlinear Crystal Ovens
    • SH05R(/M) and SH1(/M) Beam Shutters
    • SC10 Shutter Controller (Male-to-Male Cable Only)
    • KSC101 K-Cube Solenoid Controller (Male-to-Male Cable Only)

Thorlabs offers two cables that are compatible with our NLCH1(/M) and NLCH2(/M) nonlinear crystal ovens. One HR10CAB1 male-to-male Hirose cable is included with each oven for connecting to the TC300B temperature controller. For custom wiring, the HR10AD1 Cable with Breakout Box (not included with the ovens) allows six bare wires to be connected to a six-pin Hirose connector without the need for soldering. To aid in pinout identification, each port is labeled with the pin number corresponding to the male Hirose connector, as shown in Figure G3.1. Figures G3.2 and G3.3 show the relationship between the six colored wires and the pins in the connector, allowing the cut cable to be incorporated into a variety of custom applications where the breakout box is unsuitable. Note that the wires in these cables cross over the length of the cable, so the insulation color should be used for pin identification.

In addition, blank labels are provided next to each pin number for custom pin assignment information to be added. A graphite pencil is recommended for filling in the blank labels, as the markings can be removed using a standard rubber eraser if the pin assignments are changed.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
HR10CAB1 Support Documentation
HR10CAB16-Pin, Male-to-Male Hirose Connector Cable, 3.0 m Long
$81.60
2 Weeks
HR10AD1 Support Documentation
HR10AD16-Pin Male Hirose Connector Cable with Breakout Box, 1.8 m long
$68.34
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