High-Efficiency Second-Harmonic Generation Using Quasi-Bound State in LiNbO₃ Metasurface

Abstract

We numerically demonstrated a high-efficiency second-harmonic generation (SHG) using quasi-bound state in the continuum (quasi–BIC) in thin film LiNbO3 (TFLN) metasurface. The TFLN possessed exceptionally high second-order nonlinear coefficients, contributing to the enhanced SHG performance. An eccentric cylinder unit cell was presented to achieve high Q–factor resonances associated with the asymmetric parameter introduced. Simulations showed that the high efficiency of the second-harmonic conversion was obtained by using the high Q–factor of the asymmetric dielectric cylinder metasurface, and it achieved a high SHG efficiency of 6.5% at pump intensities as low as 1 MW/cm2 at a normal incident. Furthermore, the simulation results indicated that breaking the symmetry through oblique incidence was more effective in achieving a higher Q–factor compared to altering the structural parameters. Specifically, under 1° oblique incidences, the conversion efficiency could reach 1.2% at an incident power of 1 kW/cm². We have proposed a method to achieve a high conversion efficiency of second-harmonic generation in low-refractive-index materials. Our work not only offers theoretical support but also provides valuable insights for the advancement of efficient nonlinear frequency doubling technology, optical communication, and sensing applications.

Keywords

• bound state in the continuum
• thin film LiNbO₃
• second-harmonic generation efficiency