New crystal advances vacuum UV laser

In a major leap for precision technology, a Chinese research team has successfully developed a high-performance crystal that allows lasers to reach deeper into the ultraviolet spectrum than ever before.

This new material, known as ammonium fluorooxoborate or ABF, represents a significant victory in a decade-long quest to power the next generation of advanced manufacturing and scientific discovery.

The breakthrough, led by Pan Shilie, director at the Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, was recently published in the journal Nature. It solves a long-standing puzzle in physics — how to create a laser that is not only incredibly precise but also powerful and stable enough for industrial use. By reaching a record-breaking wavelength of 158.9 nanometers, this crystal allows scientists to produce a "vacuum ultraviolet" laser that functions like a microscopic scalpel of unparalleled sharpness.

For decades, this specialized field was dominated by a different Chinese-invented crystal called KBBF.

But in recent years, as practical demands continue to evolve and grow, there is a growing need for crystals with even better performance.

Pan's team spent over a decade refining their equipment and chemical processes to overcome the "growth barrier". Their persistence paid off with the creation of centimeter-sized ABF crystals, which are both durable and large enough to use in high-powered industrial machines.

The implications of this discovery extend far beyond the laboratory. In the world of high-tech manufacturing, the shorter the wavelength of a laser, the finer the detail it can carve. This makes the ABF crystal a vital tool for the semiconductor industry, where it can be used to etch or inspect the microscopic circuits on the chips that power everything from smartphones to artificial intelligence technologies.

Beyond electronics, the research team believes this technology will become a cornerstone of aerospace engineering and medical device production. Because the laser is so precise, it can perform ultrafine surface treatments on delicate components used in satellites or surgical implants.

Pan said the crystal also holds the potential to unlock mysteries in frontier science, such as the hidden mechanisms of superconductivity.

By securing this new material, China reinforces its position at the forefront of a niche but strategically vital industry. As the Xinjiang institute moves toward stabilizing large-scale production, the focus now shifts to integrating these "super crystals" into compact, low-cost laser systems that could soon become standard equipment in high-end factories around the world.

xunuo@chinadaily.com.cn