Core Viewpoint - Chinese scientists have successfully developed a new nonlinear optical crystal material, ammonium borofluoride (ABF), which provides a key material system for compact and efficient all-solid-state vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lasers [2][4]. Group 1: Research and Development Achievements - The research team from the Xinjiang Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has designed and synthesized the ABF crystal, overcoming challenges in large-size crystal growth and device processing technology [3][5]. - The team achieved direct frequency doubling of VUV laser output at a wavelength of 158.9 nanometers using birefringent phase matching technology, marking a significant advancement in the field [3][7]. Group 2: Importance of Nonlinear Optical Crystals - Nonlinear optical crystals are crucial for achieving all-solid-state VUV laser output, as their performance directly influences key indicators such as output wavelength and conversion efficiency [4]. - China is at the forefront of research in the field of ultraviolet and VUV nonlinear optical crystals, with previous developments like BBO and LBO crystals contributing significantly to global laser industry applications [4]. Group 3: Future Directions - The research team plans to continue exploring stable growth techniques for ABF crystals, processing methods for devices, and applications of laser sources, aiming for shorter wavelengths, higher energy, and greater power in VUV laser sources [8].

央广网北京1月29日消息（记者王泽华 朱敏）据中央广播电视总台中国之声报道，激光是20世纪人类最重大的发明之一，而想要"精准驯服"这一特殊光 源，实现灵活的波长调控与转换，非线性光学晶体便是其中的"核心基石"。中国科学院1月29日介绍，我国科学家成功研制出最新款"中国牌"晶体——氟化 硼酸铵（ABF）晶体，首次实现直接倍频真空紫外激光158.9纳米输出，将在精密制造、前沿科研等领域发挥重要战略作用，相关成果1月29日在国际学术期 刊《自然》发表。 如果关注激光领域，对于KBBF这个名字，大家或许并不陌生，这是我国科学家在20世纪90年代研发的"中国牌"晶体，相关性能领跑行业30余年无人超 越。而科研团队介绍，最新研发的这种ABF晶体，可以做到在直接倍频真空紫外激光输出领域——输出波长、纳秒脉冲能量、转换效率三方面全方位刷新世 界纪录。高原之上再攀高峰，耗时近十年打磨的新款"中国牌"晶体，如何服务国计民生？ 激光？晶体？这些学术名词究竟是什么意思？通俗来说，如果把激光器想象成"超级手电筒"，非线性光学晶体就是手电筒里的"核心魔法镜片"，能把普 通激光"变身"成特殊波长的超强光束。潘世烈解释，由于激光本质上是"人 ...