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Lithium thioindate (LiInS2) is a new nonlinear chalcogenide biaxial material transparent from 0.4 to 12 µm, that has been successfully grown in large sizes and good optical quality. We report on new physical properties that are relevant for laser and nonlinear optics applications. With respect to AgGaS(e)2 ternary chalcopyrite materials, LiInS2 displays a nearly-isotropic thermal expansion behavior, a 5-times larger thermal conductivity associated with high optical damage thresholds, and an extremely low intensity-dependent absorption allowing direct high-power downconversion from the near-IR to the deep mid-IR. Continuous-wave difference-frequency generation (5-11 µm) of Ti:sapphire laser sources is reported for the first time.

International audienceWe derive new temperature dependent Sellmeier equations for the extra-ordinary and ordinary refractive indices of 0.5% MgO-doped stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystal. The equations are based on quasi phase-matched frequency conversion measurements, as well as on interferometric measurements of the thermal expansion and thermal dispersion. These equations fit experimental data over wide spectral ranges: 0.35–6 μm for the extra-ordinary wave and 0.375–3.75 μm for the ordinary wave, from room temperature up to 200°C. The nonlinear optical measurements set lower-limit values for the d 33, d 22, and d 24 elements of the second-order susceptibility tensor χ (2) of 12.9, 1.54, and 0.46 pm/V, respectively. The interferometric measurements enable one to determine the linear and quadratic expansion coefficients of 1.45762e−5 1/°C, and 2.68608e−8 (1/°C)2, respectively. The Sellmeier equations are in good agreement with previously published data