Growth and characterization of a new langasite‐type single crystal Sr3NbAl1.5Ga1.5Si2O14

Single crystals of Sr₃NbAl_1.5Ga_1.5Si₂O₁₄ (SNAGS) with langasite structure have been successfully grown by Czochralski method. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) verified that the as‐grown crystal was isostructural with A₃BC₃D₂O₁₄ structure and the lattice parameters were calculated as follows: a = 8.242 Å, c = 5.041 Å, V = 296.6 ų. The piezoelectric coefficient d₁₁ was 5.7pC/N, which was 2.47 times of α‐quartz (d₁₁=2.31pC/N). The electric resistivity was up to 3.04×10⁶ Ωcm at 700 °C for X‐cut sample. In addition, the transmission spectrum of the SNAGS crystal showed that it had a high transmittance (>80%) in the range of 350‐800 nm and exceeded 90% above 520 nm. These results suggest that the SNAGS crystals have potential applications in high‐temperature piezoelectric sensors and optical techniques. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Sr3NbGa3Si2O14压电晶体旋光性质的研究

本文测定了紫外、可见光区新型压电晶体-Sr3NbGa3Si2O14(SNGS) 的透过率,并利用一种新方法即通过测量晶体在平行偏振系统中的透过率谱研究了其旋光性,且拟合出旋光色散曲线.此晶体属左旋单轴晶体,旋光非常大,其旋光率ρ在513nm处达到43.69°/mm.     

Growth and dichroic properties of LiBa12(BO3)7F4 crystal

The bulk crystals of LiBa₁₂(BO₃)₇F₄ were obtained from two flux compositions by the top seeded solution growth method. Crystals grown from BaCO₃:BaF₂:H₃BO₃:Li₂CO₃ = 3:3:3:1 charge were found to have a distinct linear dichroism effect at 0.35–0.65 and around 0.73 μm. This suggests application of the material in the production of polarizing filters and attenuators for visible range lasers.     

Structure,growth and optical properties of Zn0.24Ni0.76(SO4)·7H2O single crystal

A new crystalline complex zinc nickel sulfate heptahydrate (ZNSH) has been prepared. The crystal structure was investigated by x‐ray single crystal diffraction method and the empirical formula is Zn_0.24Ni_0.76(SO₄)·7H₂O. The ZNSH crystal belongs to the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with cell parameters a = 6.7742(14) Å, b = 11.748(2) Å, c = 12.009(2) Å. The deep‐green ZNSH single crystal with dimension of 30 × 25 × 25 mm³ has been grown by the cooling solution method. The constituent ratio of ZNSH crystal grown from various compounding solutions at temperature range 40‐50 °C is approximate invariant. The crystal absorption spectra with theoretical analysis are reported. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical and dielectric studies on pure and Ni2+, Co2+ doped single crystals of bis thiourea cadmium chloride

Good quality single crystals of Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ ions doped Bisthiourea Cadmium Chloride (BTCC) are some of the excellent and efficient non‐linear optical materials grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals are determined by single crystal X‐ray analysis. UV spectral analyses on these samples reveal the improved transparency of the doped crystals ascertaining the inclusion of metal ion in the lattice. FTIR spectral analysis carried out on the materials confirm the presence of functional groups. Dielectric measurements reveal that the dielectric constant of pure and doped crystals decreases with increase of frequency. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Investigation of optical band gap in potassium acid phthalate single crystal

Optical absorption in photonic crystals of potassium acid phthalate has been measured at room temperature, from which the band gap has been determined and the optical band gap was calculated by using absorption spectrum. The analysis of absorption coefficient in the absorption region reveals a direct band gap of 3.70 eV. Further this study includes the theoretical calculations to determine the optical constant of the material and a technique for photonic band gap tuning which is minimally required to develop the optoelectronic device. It was confirmed that potassium acid phthalate crystal has maximum transparency in the entire visible region and hence it exhibits industrial application oriented properties. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth of Nd:Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 crystals by a modified Bridgman method

Bridgman growth of Nd:SGG (Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄) crystals has been investigated for the first time. Pt crucible of ∅︁25mm×250mm with a seed well of ∅︁10mm×80 mm is used, and seed is SGG crystal of ∅︁10mm×50mm grown by Bridgman method in advance. The growth parameters are optimized as the furnace temperature is set to 1450∼1500°C, temperature gradient in the crystal‐melt interface is less than 25 K/cm and growth rate is less than 0.5mm/h. The Nd:SGG crystals with 25mm in diameter and 60mm in length are grown successfully from 1.5 to 8at% Nd³⁺ doped stoichiometric Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ melt. The distribution coefficient and concentration of Nd³⁺ in Nd:SGG crystals are obviously higher than those of Nd:YAG crystal. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical properties of 2‐aminopyridinium nitrato silver

Crystals of 2‐aminopyridinium nitrato silver have been synthesized by slow evaporation method. Grown crystals have been subjected to FTIR, Single crystal X‐Ray diffraction and UV‐Visible studies in order to investigate the structural and optical properties of the crystal. The FTIR spectrum reveals the presence of the functional group that corresponds to both 2‐aminopyridine and silver nitrate, suggesting the formation of the compound, 2‐aminopyridinium nitrato silver. From XRD it is observed that the crystal crystallizes in the structure of monoclinic with the space group of P2₁/c. The optical transmittance spectrum shows the maximum transparency of about 95% in the visible region is in consistent with the wide band gap, estimated as 4.738 eV. The optical constants n and k has also been determined from the transmittance data. The static dielectric constant is found to be 0.851. The wide band gap and the less dielectric constant suggest the suitability of this compound material for photoconductive applications. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and Optical Properties of NaY(WO4)2:Eu Crystals

NaY_0.99Eu_0.01(WO₄)₂ crystals were grown along <101> and <001> directions. Single crystals with high quality can be obtained when they were grown along <101> direction from a melt with a small deviation from stoichiometric composition. Eu ions exist in two valences in the as‐grown crystals, in one valence after annealing only. The fluorescence spectrum shows the Stark splitting of energy levels of Eu ions is in accordance with the site symmetry of S₄.     

Nonlinear optical properties of strontium tartrato‐antimonate(III) dihydrate,Sr[Sb2{(+)‐C4H2O6}2]·2H2O

The tensor of nonlinear optical susceptibility for second harmonic generation [d^SHG _ijk ] of hexagonal (point group 6) strontium tartrato‐antimonate(III) dihydrate, Sr[Sb₂{(+)‐C₄H₂O₆}₂]·2H₂O, was determined using the Maker fringes method and a Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm. The largest component of the tensor d^SHG ₃₃₃ amounts two times d^SHG ₁₁₁ of α‐quartz. Effective nonlinear optical susceptibility d^SHG _eff is given for phase matching type I for several wavelengths (for type II d^SHG _eff is nearly zero). The thermal stability of crystals of Sr[Sb₂{(+)‐C₄H₂O₆}₂]·2H₂O was determined in the temperature range from 153 K to 573 K by means of thermal expansion measurements and thermogravimetry. The temperature dependence of thermal expansion coefficients is given in the range from 153 K to 293 K. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Sr3NbGa3Si2O14晶体非同向声光可调谐滤波器的研究

对0.6328μm和1.06μm两种波长,分别给出了Sr3NbGa3Si2O14(SNGS)晶体声光可调谐滤波器取不同近似下的超声波极角θa和入射光极角θi之间的关系曲线.结果指出,对晶体取双折射近似基本没有误差,在红外波段不必考虑旋光特性.具体计算了λ=0.6328μm时,器件的有关性能指标光谱分辨率和角孔径.所得结果对SNGS晶体在非同向声光可调谐滤波器中的应用提供了理论依据.     

新型压电晶体Sr3 Ga2 Ge4 O14的性能表征

采用坩埚下降法以及坩埚密封技术,成功生长了直径50mm的新型压电晶体Sr3Ga2Ge4O14.测试了晶体的晶格常数、热膨胀系数、密度、硬度和透过光谱等基本物理性能.测试结果表明:晶体热膨胀系数明显小于石英晶体,而且α11和α33相对比较接近,有利于该晶体用作声表面波用基片材料.在250～2500nm波段范围内,其透过率均大于80;,优于相同结构的La3Ga5SiO14晶体,是一种潜在的激光基质晶体材料.     

Crystal growth,crystal structure and pyroelectric properties of the polar hexagonal antimony tartrates MII[Sb2(C4H2O6)2]·2H2O (MII = Ca,Sr, Pb)

Single crystal growth of lead antimony tartrate dihydrate, Pb[Sb₂((+)C₄H₂O₆)₂]·2H₂O, was successfully performed. The determined polar hexagonal crystal structure is isomorphous to the corresponding calcium and strontium antimony tartrates dihydrates. New results of crystal growth and the redetermination of the crystal structures of the nonlinear optical crystal Sr[Sb₂((+)C₄H₂O₆)₂]·2H₂O and its calcium analogue are reported, together with investigations of the thermal stability and the pyroelectric properties of these polar crystals.

     

Growth and characterization of glycine doped bis thiourea cadmium chloride single crystal

Single crystal of 2 mol% glycine doped Bis Thiourea Cadmium Chloride, a semi organic nonlinear optical material has been grown by slow evaporation technique. Good quality single crystal with dimension 14 × 12 × 5 mm³ was harvested after 35 days. The influence of amino acid glycine was studied for 1, 2 and 3 mol% glycine doped Bis Thiourea Cadmium Chloride by Kurtz and Perry powder second harmonic generation test and compared with pure Bis Thiourea Cadmium Chloride which confirms the enhancement of second harmonic generation property of glycine doped Bis Thiourea Cadmium Chloride. The large enhancement was found for 2 mol% glycine doping. The grown crystal was characterized by various characterizations viz. single crystal X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, UV‐visible absorption, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Domain structure and birefringence studies on a 0.91Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ‐0.09PbTiO3 single crystal

Domain structure and phase transition sequence of 0.91PZN‐0.09PT single crystal, grown from high temperature solution, have been analysed using polarised light microscopy. The domain structure of (001)_cub cut single crystal exhibit co‐existence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases. The sequence and phase transition temperatures have been determined from temperature dependence of birefringence. Birefringence measurements during heating and cooling reveal a first order nature of phase transition between rhombohedral (R3m) and tetragonal (P4mm). The birefringence was measured with accuracy of 10^‐3. However, dielectric measurement does not provide any evidence of R3m ‐ P4mm phase transition. It is shown that in‐situ analysis of domain structure and phase transition can be used as non‐destructive analytical tool for determination of local composition and phase transition sequence. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Annealing effect on electrical and photoconductive properties of Si implanted GaSe single crystal

GaSe single crystals grown by Bridgman method have been doped by ion implantation technique. The samples were bombarded in the direction parallel to c‐axis by Si ion beam of about 100 keV to doses of 1 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm² at room temperature. The effects of Si implantation with annealing at 500 and 600 °C on the electrical properties have been studied by measuring the temperature dependent conductivity and photoconductivity under different illumination intensities in the temperature range of 100–320 K. It is observed that Si implantation increases the room temperature conductivity 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻³ (Ω‐cm)⁻¹ depending on the post annealing temperature. The analysis of temperature dependent conductivity shows that at high temperature region above 200 K, the transport mechanism is dominated by thermal excitation in the doped and undoped GaSe samples. At lower temperatures, the conduction of carriers is dominated by variable range hopping mechanism in the implanted samples. Annealing of the samples at and above 600 °C weakens the temperature dependence of the conductivity and photoconductivity. This indicates that annealing of the implanted samples activates Si‐atoms and increases structural deformations and stacking faults. The same behavior was observed from photoconductivity measurements. Hence, photocurrent‐illumination intensity dependence in the implanted samples obeys the power low I_pc ∝ Φⁿ with n between 1 and 2 which is an indication of continuous distribution of localized states in the band gap. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth,structure, and superconducting properties of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 and (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10‐y crystals

Large and high‐quality single crystals of both Pb‐free and Pb‐doped high temperature superconducting compounds (Bi_1‐xPb_x)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10‐y (x = 0 and 0.3) were grown by means of a newly developed “Vapour‐Assisted Travelling Floating Zone” technique (VA‐TSFZ). This modified zone‐melting technique was realised in an image furnace and allowed for the first time to grow Pb‐doped crystals by compensating for the Pb losses occurring at high temperature. Crystals up to 3×2×0.1 mm³ were successfully grown. Post‐annealing under high pressure of O₂ (up to 10 MPa at T = 500°C) was undertaken to enhance T_c and improve the homogeneity of the crystals. Structural characterisation was performed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and the structure of the 3‐layer Bi‐based superconducting compound was refined for the first time. Structure refinement showed an incommensurate superlattice in the Pb‐free crystals. The space group is orthorhombic, A2aa, with cell parameters a = 27.105(4) Å, b = 5.4133(6) Å and c = 37.009(7) Å. Superconducting studies were carried out by A.C. and D.C. magnetic measurements. Very sharp superconducting transitions were obtained in both kinds of crystals (ΔT_c ≤ 1 K). In optimally doped Pb‐free crystals, critical temperatures up to 111 K were measured. Magnetic critical current densities of 2�10⁵ A/cm² were measured at T = 30 K and μ₀H = 0 T. A weak second peak in the magnetisation loops was observed in the temperature range 40‐50 K above which the vortex lattice becomes entangled. We have measured a portion of the irreversibility line (0.1‐5 Tesla) and fitted the expression for the melting of a vortex glass in a 2D fluctuation regime to the experimental data. Measurements of the lower critical field allowed to obtain the dependence of the penetration depth on temperature: the linear dependence of λ(T) for T < 30 K is consistent with d‐wave superconductivity in Bi‐2223. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure,dielectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 single crystal grown by flux method using B2O3 flux

Lead free piezoelectric single crystals of sodium potassium niobate (K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃ (KNN) were grown by high‐temperature solution method using two different fluxes; one with a mixture of NaF and KF and other with addition of B₂O₃ along with the mixture. In the present study, the growth of KNN crystals without B₂O₃ flux and the same with B₂O₃ flux were compared. It was found that additions of small amounts of B₂O₃ lowered the melting temperature of the solid solution and enabled better dielectric properties. Phase analysis showed that all samples were crystallized in pure orthorhombic perovskite phase. AFM morphological studies showed that the addition of B₂O₃ flux increased the roughness of the grown crystal. Further, addition of B₂O₃ flux slightly decreased the orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transition temperature T_(O—T) and the Curie temperature T_C. The ferroelectric behaviour of KNN single crystal has been investigated at room temperature. The crystal grown using B₂O₃ flux exhibited a remanent polarization (P_r) ∼ 32 μC/cm² and coercive field (Ec) of ∼11.8 kV/cm whereas the crystal grown without the use of B₂O₃ flux had a remanent polarization (P_r) ∼ 36 μC/cm² and coercive field (Ec) of ∼14.6 kV/cm.     

Bridgman growth and characterization of birefringent crystal NaNO3

With a bigger birefringence than calcite, sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) single crystal might have potential applications in fiber‐optic polarizer, opto‐isolators and polarizing prisms. However, it is difficult to grow large‐size NaNO₃ crystals for their thermal conductivity anisotropy and phase transition at 275°C. In this paper, crack‐free NaNO₃ crystals with size of Φ20×100 mm³ were prepared by Bridgman method with lower growth rate and lower interface temperature gradient. The dependence of the transmittance on the sample exposure time was measured and studied. The principal refractive indices of NaNO₃ crystal at the wavelengths 0.4730, 0.5320, 0.6328, 1.064 and 1.338 μm were measured by auto‐collimation method. From which, we calculated and obtained the Sellmeier's equation of NaNO₃ crystal. Moreover, the photoluminescence spectra were detected under the excitation at 240 nm, and NaNO₃ crystal presented its fluorescence around 416 nm.     

Influence of lithium ions on the NLO properties of KDP single crystals

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP) and its isomorphous deuterated form are popular due to their applications in frequency converters and electro‐optic modulation. Different attempts have been made to dope KDP with inorganic additives, organic materials and amino acids. Since many of the metal ions possess more electro negativity which increases the non centrosymmetry, it is of interest to dope them in KDP. The influence of lithium ion (Li⁺) on NLO properties of KDP crystal has been studied in the present investigation. Single crystal of Lithium ion doped Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP) was grown by slow evaporation technique. The enhancement in SHG efficiency after addition of ion Lithium (Li⁺) was observed by Kurtz Powder SHG test. It was found that the SHG efficiency of KDP after addition of Lithium ion is 1.33 times more than pure KDP. The crystal structure and cell parameters of grown crystal were determined by X‐ray diffraction. The Energy Dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) gives the chemical composition of grown crystal. The functional groups were identified by FT‐IR spectral analysis. The presence of Lithium in the material of grown crystal was detected by Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The optical absorption and transmission studies were done by UV‐Visible spectral analysis. The grown crystal was subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)