Structure and properties of a complex crystal for laser diode frequency doubling: Cadmium mercury thiocyanate

The crystal structure of cadmium mercury thiocyanate [CdHg(SCN)4] is determined by means of a four circle diffractometer. The structural features and properties of the crystal are described. Blue-violet light output by frequency doubling of a 809 nm GaAlAs laser diode using a cadmium mercury thiocyanate crystal device that is 3 mm thick at the phase matching angle: θ=47.7°, φ=0°, is realized at room temperature with input power lower than 200 mW. A 404.5 nm light output power of 1.8 mW is also measured for a 576 mW input power of the GaAlAs laser diode.