Structural reasons for the nonlinear optical properties of KTi<Subscript>0.96</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.04</Subscript>OPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals

This paper reports on the results of the precision X-ray structural investigations of KTi_0.96Zr_0.04OPO₄ single crystals at room temperature. It is established that the incorporation of zirconium atoms into the structure of KTiOPO₄ (KTP) crystals does not lead to substantial changes in the framework structure and results only in an insignificant decrease in the scatter of the distances in the PO₄ tetrahedra and the formation of more symmetric (TiZr)O₆ octahedra as compared to the TiO₆ octahedra. However, the incorporation of zirconium atoms into the KTP structure is accompanied by the redistribution of the electron density in the crystal as a whole, so that the electron density increases in the region of the positions occupied by the potassium atoms. This changes the nonlinear optical properties of the given series of crystals, which are estimated from the intensity of the second harmonic generation signals.     

Synthesis,properties, and structure of potassium titanyl phosphate single crystals doped with hafnium

Single crystals of potassium titanyl phosphate doped with hafnium are grown by spontaneous flux crystallization. Their physical properties are studied, and the structure of three KTi_{1 − x} Hf _x OPO₄ crystals (x = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.12) is determined. In the crystals studied, hafnium mostly occupies the second titanium position. The doping of KTP crystals with hafnium results in an elongation of K-O bonds in the potassium polyhedra and, as a consequence, in a considerable (by approximately 180°C) decrease in the temperature of ferroelectric phase transition. The magnitude of anomalous permittivity substantially decreases. The electrical conduction in the specimens studied decreases by approximately half an order of magnitude in the low-temperature region but remains almost unchanged in the high-temperature region. Even at minor concentrations, the presence of a hafnium additive in the specimens considerably (by 35%) enhances the intensity of the second harmonic generation of laser radiation.     

Structure of the RbTi<Subscript>0.98</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.02</Subscript>OPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystal at temperatures of 293 and 105 K

This paper reports on the results of precision X-ray structural investigations of a RbTi_0.98Zr_0.02OPO₄ single crystal at temperatures of 293 and 105 K. It is established that the observed decrease in the temperature of the ferroelectric phase transition in RbTiOPO₄ crystals doped with zirconium is associated with the increase in the Rb-O bond lengths. The structural factors responsible for the decrease in the electrical conductivity in these crystals are revealed. An analysis is made of the structure of the helical channels which in crystals of this family are considered to be a decisive factor for the manifestation of superionic conduction. It is shown that, in structures of the KTiOPO₄ (KTP) type, the migration of ions in channels is most hindered inside the cavities.     

X-Ray diffraction study of KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals doped with hafnium

Single crystals of KTi_{1 − x} Hf _x OPO₄ (x = 0.015(2), 0.035(1), and 0.128(1) are reinvestigated by precision X-ray diffraction at room temperature. It is found that the implantation of hafnium atoms in the crystal structure of KTiOPO₄ does not lead to significant changes in the framework and affects only the positions of the potassium atoms in the channel. Our studies reveal the displacements of the potassium atoms from their main and additional positions in the structure of pure KTP in all three structures studied. The largest displacements from the K1′ and K1″ additional positions are observed in the structure with x = 0.035. At this hafnium concentration, the occupancy of the main positions of potassium atoms decreases and the occupancy of the additional positions increases in relation to those in KTP. This redistribution of potassium atoms enhances the nonuniformity of distribution of the electron density in the vicinity of their positions, which is probably responsible for the increase in the nonlinear susceptibility of KTP crystals that contain 3.5% hafnium in relation to crystals of pure KTP.     

Crystal growth of zirconium‐doped KTiOPO4 crystals in the K2O‐P2O5‐TiO2‐ZrF4 system

Zirconium‐doped KTiOPO₄ (KTP) crystals were grown using a high temperature flux method in the K₂O‐P₂O₅‐TiO₂‐ZrF₄ system. The dopant content in the single crystals with general composition KTi_1‐xZr_xOPO₄ (where x = 0 – 0.026) strongly depends on zirconium concentration in the homogeneous melts. AES‐ICP method and X‐ray fluorescence analysis were used to determine the composition of the obtained crystals. Phase analyses of the products were performed using the powder XRD. The structures of KTiOPO₄ containing different quantities of Zr were refined on the basis of single crystal XRD data. Applying ZrF₄ precursor for zirconium injection into the flux allowed growing the zirconium‐doped KTP crystals at 930–750°C. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structure and properties of potassium titanyl phosphate single crystals with 7 and 11 at. % Nb

This study is a continuation of research into the atomic structure and physical properties of niobium-doped potassium titanyl phosphate crystals, KTiOPO₄ (KTP: Nb). Crystals containing 7 and 11 at. % of niobium were grown and studied. With an increase in niobium content, the number of vacancies and additional potassium positions in the structure also increase. This fact accounts for an increase in both the intensities of relaxation peaks and the conductivity of KTP: Nb crystals.     

Structure and properties of single crystals of tin-doped potassium titanyl phosphate

Single crystals with the compositions KTi_0.47Sn_0.53OPO₄ and KTi_0.25Sn_0.75OPO₄ were grown by spontaneous crystallization from flux in the K₂O-TiO₂-SnO₂-P₂O₅ quaternary system, and their structures were established from precision X-ray diffraction data. The incorporation of tin into the crystals lowers the asymmetry of cation positions in the (Ti,Sn)O₆ octahedra. The addition of even a small amount (x < 0.4) of tin to the K(Ti_{1 ? x} Sn_x)OPO₄ crystals causes fast symmetrization of the octahedra. The process slows down with an increase in the tin content until the attainment of the composition KSnOPO₄ and localization of tin in the centers of octahedra. It is these structural features that are responsible for a decrease in the optical nonlinearity of the crystals and in the intensity of second harmonic generation by laser radiation in these crystals.     

Structure and properties of antimony-doped potassium titanyl phosphate single crystals

Antimony-doped potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystals of the composition KTiOPO₄ are studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. It is shown that, with an increase of antimony content in KTP crystals, the occupancies of potassium positions change and new additional positions for potassium atoms arise. The formation of additional vacancies and splitting of the potassium-cation positions explain the considerable decrease in the temperature of the ferroelectric phase transition, enhancement of the relaxation phenomena, and an increase in electric conductivity of antimony-doped KTP crystals. Substitution of antimony atoms for titanium is accompanied by elongation of short and shortening of long Ti-O bonds in the TiO₆ octahedra, processes which result in lower intensity of second-harmonic generation in laser-irradiated KTP crystals.     

Incorporation of hafnium (IV) into KTP framework from phosphate‐fluoride fluxes

Solid solutions KTi_1‐XHf_XOPO₄ (х = 0.008 – 0.107) possessing the KTiOPO₄ structure, have been synthesized in molten system K₂O‐P₂O₅‐TiO₂‐HfF₄. The crystal growth experiment of Hf‐doped KTP crystal has been reported. The X‐ray powder diffraction data and chemical analysis are also presented. It has been shown that KTiOPO₄ crystal structure slightly changes when Hf incorporates into the framework. Transmission/absorption spectra of KTi_0.974Hf_0.026OPO₄ crystals have been recorded. The incorporation of Hf ions shifts the optical absorption edge in the UV‐visible spectrum towards the long‐wavelength region with absorption near 387 nm.     

Crystal structure of KTi0.93Sn0.07OPO4

To reveal correlations between the atomic structure and properties of the KTi_1-x SnxOPO₄ solid solutions, single crystals of the KTi_0.93Sn_0.07OPO₄ composition were synthesized and their structure was determined. The crystals belong to the KTiOPO₄ family; orthorhombic, sp. gr. Pna2₁. The unit-cell parameters are a = 12.831, b = 6.410, and c = 10.584 Å. The partial substitution of Sn atoms for Ti atoms results in the formation of more symmetric coordination polyhedra in the structure framework and the change of the physical properties of the crystals.     

Growth of KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals doped with zinc and studies of their physical properties and specific structural features

A series of potassium titanyl phosphate single crystals doped with zinc (KTP: Zn) is grown by spontaneous flux crystallization. Their properties and the way the additive is implanted in the crystal lattice are studied. The inclusion of zinc atoms in the KTP structure is evidenced by the data of chemical analysis and the results of studies of electrophysical properties (the growth of conductivity and increase of relaxation anomalies). Precision X-ray diffraction studies of KTP: Zn single crystals reveal changes in the channel of the structure which correlate with the physical properties of this crystal series. No substitution of zinc atoms for titanium, phosphorus, or potassium atoms is found in the structure. Zinc atoms can be located at structural defects, domain walls, and the crystal surface.     

Electrical and nonlinear optical properties of KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals doped with niobium,antimony, and tantalum

Single crystals of K_{1 ? x}Ti_{1 ? x}Nb_xOPO₄ (KTP: Nb), K_{1 ? x}Ti_{1 ? x}Sb_xOPO₄ (KTP: Sb), and K_{1 ? x}Ti_{1 ? x}Ta_xOPO₄ (KTP: Ta) solid solutions are grown and their dielectric, conducting, and nonlinear optical properties are investigated. The maximum contents x of niobium, antimony, and tantalum impurities in the crystals are equal to 0.11, 0.23, and 0.25, respectively. The doping of the KTiOPO₄ crystals with niobium, antimony, and tantalum brings about the formation of additional potassium vacancies and additional potassium positions and, as a consequence, an increase in the ionic conductivity σ₃₃. An increase in the doping level leads to a smearing of the ferroelectric phase transitions and a decrease in the phase transition temperatures. The permittivity of the doped crystals exhibits a broad relaxation peak in the temperature range 200–600°C.     

KTP crystal growth from the starting materials reacted in solution

Using the solution‐reacted materials, potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO₄, KTP) crystal was grown by the top‐seeded solution growth (TSSG) method. The solution‐reacted precursor was characterized by scanning electron microscope, and the solubility of KTP in K₈P₆O₁₉ was measured. The crystals were investigated by synchrotron radiation X‐ray topography, scattering centers measurement, weak absorption test and damage threshold test. The results showed that dispersion was better and solubility was higher than those by solid‐reacted method. Compared with the conventional crystal, KTP crystal grown from the solution‐reacted precursor had fewer defects, fewer scattering centers, lower weak absorption and higher damage threshold.     

Structure and properties of niobium-doped potassium titanyl phosphate crystals

A series of potassium titanyl phosphate crystals, KTiOPO₄, with various concentrations of niobium dopant has been grown, and some of their physical properties and structural characteristics have been studied. The incorporation of a small amount of niobium results in considerable changes in the electrical conductivity of KTP: Nb crystals and the temperature of the ferroelectric phase transition. Thus, the presence of 3–4 at. % of niobium results in an increase of conductivity by more than an order of magnitude, whereas T _C decreases from 930 to 620°C. The X-ray diffraction study of the crystals has been performed at room temperature; the neutron diffraction analysis was made at temperatures of 20, 330, and 730°C. It was revealed that two crystallographically independent positions are statistically (by 90%) occupied by potassium cations, which results in the concentration of potassium atoms in the structure higher than it was expected from the condition of preservation of crystal electroneutrality. At high niobium concentrations, the monoclinic compound of the composition K₂TiNb₂P₂O₃ is formed.     

Accurate X-ray diffraction studies of KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals doped with niobium

Single crystals of potassium titanyl phosphate doped with 4% of niobium (КТР:4%Nb) and 6% of niobium (KTP:6%Nb) are studied by accurate X-ray diffraction at room temperature. The niobium atoms are localized near the Ti1 and Ti2 atomic positions, and their positions are for the first time refined independent of the titanium atomic positions. Maps of difference electron density in the vicinity of K1 and K2 atomic positions are analyzed. It is found that in the structure of crystal КТР:4%Nb, additional positions of K atoms are located farther from the main positions and from each other than in КТР and KTP:6%Nb crystals. The nonuniform distribution of electron density found in the channels of the КТР:4%Nb structure is responsible for ~20% increase in the signal of second harmonic generation.     

On the effect of structural and symmetrical features of potassium titanyl phosphate crystals with different contents of niobium,antimony, and zirconium on the second-harmonic intensity

A model is proposed, which shows that, at small deviations from the centrosymmetric state of the atomic structure, the quadratic nonlinear susceptibility of a crystal monotonically decreases with approach of the degree of central symmetry \(\eta _{\overline 1 } \)[φ(r)] of the electric potential function of the crystal structure to unity. The quadratic nonlinear susceptibility of K_{1 ? x} Ti_{1 ? x} Nb _x OPO₄ (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.11), K_{1 ? x} Ti_{1 ? x} Sb _x OPO₄ (x = 0.01, 0.07, 0.17), and KTi_{1 ? x} Zr _x OPO₄ (x = 0.03, 0.04) crystals has been measured. The degree of central symmetry \(\eta _{\overline 1 } \)[φ(r)] has been calculated for the structures of K_{1 ? x} Ti_{1 ? x} Nb _x OPO₄ (x = 0, 0.04, 0.11), K_{1 ? x} Ti_{1 ? x} Sb _x OPO₄ (x = 0.01, 0.07, 0.17), and KTi_{1 ? x} Zr _x OPO₄ (x = 0.03, 0.04) crystals. It is shown that, at \(\eta _{\overline 1 } \)[φ(r)] > 0.7, the relationship between the quadratic nonlinear susceptibility of the investigated crystals and the degree of their central symmetry \(\eta _{\overline 1 } \)[φ(r)] is in qualitative agreement with the proposed model.     

Observation of optical inhomogeneities in flux grown KTP crystals

Optical inhomogeneities in potassium titanyl phosphate crystals grown from different fluxes have been investigated. In the crystals grown from a flux which contains tungsten, striations parallel to the {011} faces were observed. The main reason for forming striations is the change in tungsten concentration with change in growth rate. In the case of a potassium phosphate flux, no striations were observed in the crystal which was grown at almost the same temperature and stirring conditions as for the tungstate flux. We can conclude that the phosphate flux is more suitable for the growth of optically good crystals for KTP as laser harmonic converters.     

Structural study of K<Subscript>0.93</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.93</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>0.07</Subscript>OPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals at 30 K

The structure of a K_0.93Ti_0.93Nb_0.07OPO₄ single crystal is studied at the temperature 30 K. The measurements are performed on a four-circle HUBER-5042 diffractometer with a DISPLEX DE-202 cryostat. Processing of the diffraction data and the preliminary refinement of the model are performed using the ASTRA program package. The final refinement of the structure model is made using the JANA2000 program complex. The refinement shows that the structure of a K_0.93Ti_0.93Nb_0.07OPO₄ crystal at T = 30 K is similar to its structure at room temperature. No phase transitions are revealed. Slight temperature-induced displacements of the potassium positions in the large cavities of the mixed framework are established.     

Growth and properties of Nb-or Sn-doped KTiOPO4 crystals

Single crystals of potassium titanyl phosphate, KTiOPO₄, doped with Nb or Sn to various doping levels are grown by crystallization from flux. Their atomic structure and physical properties are studied. It is found that both dopants greatly affect the configuration of titanium-oxygen polyhedra and, hence, the ferroelectric and nonlinear optical properties of the crystals. Superionic transitions with abrupt changes in electrical conductivity are observed in some crystals for the first time.     

Refinement of the K0.96Ti0.96Nb0.04OPO4 structure

The structure of a K_0.96Ti_0.96Nb_0.04OPO₄ single crystal was established by the methods of the X-ray diffraction analysis. Additional positions of K atoms were established. In the superionic state, these atoms provide ionic transport in the crystals.