China produces world's first DUV laser with practical application
Staff Reporter 2013-09-10 16:33
A researcher examining a crystal used to produce deep ultraviolet lasers. (Photo/Xinhua)
The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has produced the first deep ultraviolet solid-state laser with practical applications. The institute created eight laser research stations, which have spurred scientific research into such things as grapheme, according to the China Science Daily.
Since the academy produced a boron beryllium fluoride, potassium crystal, in the 1990s, it has been studying how to turn it into a practical laser source. The crystal has a layered structure and is difficult to cut. The cut is necessary to produce the DUV laser.
To solve the problem, Chen Chuangtian, a member of the academy who developed the crystal, partnered with Xu Zuyan, a laser technology expert with the Chinese Academy of Engineering. They conducted their research at the laboratory of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology because China did not have sufficient research equipment then. The two experts created a KBBF prism coupling device, which successfully produces a deep ultraviolet laser from the crystal. The device has already obtained patents in China, Japan and the United States.
The two continued their research and created a solid-state DUV laser source which was named DUV-DPL, which has been used to enhance synchrotron radiation and high-intensity discharge.
In 2007, China's Ministry of Finance launched a program headed by Chen and Xu to produce eight DUV-DPL devices. An engineering supervision unit was subsequently established to ensure the DUV technology continued to be the most advanced of its kinds in the world.
The eight devices have been used to enhance the production of grapheme, high-temperature superconductors, topological insulators, wide gap semiconductor and catalysis.
A small batch of the KBBF crystals under 2mm have been produced to supply the domestic market, said Zhen Wenshan, a physicochemical researcher and project managers of the Chinese academy. The institute is also trying to put a photoemission electron microscopy device using the DUV laser into production.
Xu said the program will enter the second phase, during which its scientists will begin developing six DUV devices that aims to expand the use of the technology from physics, chemicals and raw materials into the sectors of information technology, biotechnology and natural resources.
State-own Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry has also allied with KYKY Technology, a subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to industrialize the DUV technology and promote the DUV devices that have been successfully developed in the market.
