Growth, morphological, mechanical and dielectric studies of semi organic NLO single crystal: l-argininium perchlorate

Optically good quality single crystal of l-argininium perchlorate (abbreviated as LARPCL), a promising analog of LAP was successfully grown by slow solvent evaporation technique at room temperature. The unit cell parameters and the morphology of LARPCL single crystals were determined by single crystal XRD. The Vickers microhardness measurements were carried out on the grown crystals to estimate the mechanical properties. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the crystal were measured as a function of frequency and temperature, and the results are discussed.     

Gel growth of α and γ glycine and their characterization

The microbial free single crystals of α and γ glycine were grown from gel at room temperature in a new chemical route. These crystals showed a superior quality than the solution grown crystals. The metastable α-form and the stable γ-form of glycine were crystallized in silica gel by solubility reduction method. The form of crystallization is confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses. The crystals of α and γ glycine were found to crystallize in monoclinic and hexagonal crystal systems, respectively. For analyzing the functional group and thermal stability of α and γ glycine crystals, spectroscopic and thermal analyses have been carried out. The dielectric studies were performed to find the dielectric constant of the grown crystals and the results are discussed. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal was measured by Kurtz’s powder method using Nd:YAG laser and it was found to be 2.68 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals.     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of organic nonlinear optical bis-glycine maleate (BGM) single crystals

A new organic compound of bis-glycine maleate was synthesized in the alkaline medium of 10% ammonium hydroxide solution. The bulk single crystals of Bis-Glycine Maleate (BGM) have been grown by slow cooling method. The grown crystals were characterized by employing single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, optical absorption spectral studies and thermo gravimetric analysis. The microhardness studies confirmed that the BGM has a fairly high Vicker’s hardness number value (41 kg mm⁻²) in comparison to other organic NLO crystals. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal measured by Kurtz–Perry powder method using Nd:YAG laser is found to be comparable to that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Frequency dependent dielectric studies were carried out along the major growth axis.     

Unidirectional growth of l-asparagine monohydrate single crystal: First time observation of NLO nature and other studies of crystalline perfection,optical, mechanical and dielectric properties

L-asparagine monohydrate (LAM), a new amino acid single crystal, was grown by slow evaporation solution technique (SEST) as well as by recently invented Sankaranarayanan–Ramasamy (SR) method in aqueous medium. Using SR method, LAM single crystal of diameter ∼18 mm and length ∼52 mm was grown for the first time. The growth conditions were optimized and the maximum growth rate of 1.0 mm per day was observed for the SR crystal. The crystal structure was confirmed by powder XRD. The crystalline perfection was assessed by high resolution XRD and etching studies and found that the quality of the SR crystal is better than the SEST crystal. The UV–vis–NIR spectroscopic study revealed that the SR crystal has good optical transparency than that of SEST crystal. The relative second harmonic generation efficiency was measured and found to be ∼0.35 times to that of KDP. The laser damage threshold (LDT) was measured and found that the SR crystal has higher LDT value (5.76 GW cm⁻²) than SEST crystal (4.75 GW cm⁻²). The Vickers’s microhardness and dielectric studies were also carried out and discussed.     

Growth and properties of Pb[(Zn1/3Nb2/3)0.91Ti0.09]O3 single crystals directly from melt

Pb[(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.91Ti_0.09]O₃ (PZNT91/9) single crystals were grown by a modified Bridgman method directly from melt using an allomeric Pb[(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.69Ti_0.31]O₃ (PMNT69/31) single crystal as a seed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement confirmed that the as-grown PZNT91/9 single crystals are of pure perovskite structure. Electrical properties and thermal stabilization of PZNT91/9 crystals grown directly from melt exhibit different characters from those of PZNT91/9 crystals grown from flux, although segregation and the variation of chemical composition are not seriously confirmed by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XPS). The [0 0 1]-oriented PZNT91/9 crystals cut from the middle part of the as-grown crystal boules exhibit broad dielectric-response peaks at around 105 °C, accompanied by apparent frequency dispersion. The values of piezoelectric constant d₃₃, remnant polarization P_r, and induced strain are about 1800–2200 pC/N, 38.8 μC/cm², and 0.3%, respectively, indicating that the quality of PZNT crystals grown directly from melt can be comparable to those of PZNT91/9 single crystals grown from flux. However, further work deserves attention to improve the dielectric properties of PZNT crystals grown directly from melt. Such unusual characterizations of dielectric properties of PZNT crystals grown directly from melt are considered as correlating with defects, microinhomogeneities, and polar regions.     

Optimisation of the VGF growth process by inverse modelling

Numerical and experimental results on the thermal optimisation of vertical gradient freeze crystal growth are presented. An inverse modelling approach is described aimed at solidification with a constant growth rate and planar solid–liquid interface. As a result of modelling an optimised growth process characterised by a modified ampoule configuration and thermal regime was established. For experimental confirmation Ga-doped germanium single crystals were grown with the optimised process. In good agreement with the numerical results, solidification with an almost constant growth rate was achieved with the interface deflection being significantly lower than in conventionally grown crystals.     

Synthesis, growth, thermal, optical, dielectric and mechanical properties of semi-organic NLO crystal: Potassium hydrogen malate monohydrate

Potassium hydrogen malate monohydrate (PHMM), a semi-organic nonlinear optical material, has been synthesized and single crystals were grown from aqueous solution. Single crystals of PHMM have been grown by slow evaporation of solvent at room temperature up to dimensions of 22 mm×16 mm×14 mm. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study on grown crystals shows that they belong to monoclinic system and non-centrosymmetry spacegroup Cc. The structural perfection of the grown crystals has been analyzed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) rocking curve measurements. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic study was performed for the identification of different modes of functional groups present in the compound. The UV–Vis transmission spectrum has been recorded in the range 200–1100 nm. The thermal stability of the compound has been determined by TG-DTA curves. The dielectric studies were performed. From the microhardness measurements, Vicker's hardness number (H_v), Stiffness constant (C₁₁), fracture toughness (k_c), Brittle index (B_i) and yield strength (σ_y) have been calculated. The Young's modulus was calculated using the Knoop hardness measurement. The SHG relative efficiency of PHMM crystal was found to be 1.2 times higher than that of KDP.     

Structural, thermal and dielectric studies on a new solution grown 4-dimethylaminopyridinium dihydrogen phosphate crystal

Single crystals of 4-dimethylaminopyridinium dihydrogen phosphate (DMAPDP) (C₇H₁₃N₂PO₄) were grown by the solvent evaporation method. The three-dimensional structure was solved by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method which belongs to triclinic crystal system and the molecular arrangements in the crystal were studied. The thermal behaviour was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and no phase transition was identified in the temperature region −150 to 230 °C. The thermal parameters—thermal diffusivity (), thermal effusivity (e), thermal conductivity (K) and heat capacity (C_p) of DMAPDP were measured by an improved photopyroelectric technique at room temperature. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the grown crystal were evaluated for the frequency range 1–200 KHz in the temperature region 28–135 °C. The Vicker's hardness was measured as 42.2 for a load of 98.07 mN. The laser induced surface damage threshold of DMAPDP crystal was found to be 4.8 GW/cm² with nanosecond Nd:YAG laser.     

Synthesis, growth of organic nonlinear optical crystal: Semicarbazone of 2-amino-5-chloro-benzophenone (S2A5CB) and its characterisation

A new organic crystal of semicarbazone of 2–amino–5–chloro–benzophenone has been grown as a single crystal by slow evaporation solution growth technique for the first time in the literature. The grown crystal has been characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies. Functional groups of the crystallised molecules were confirmed by FT-IR and FT-Raman analyses. Mechanical strength of the crystals was studied by microhardness test. Optical transparency of the grown crystals has been studied by UV-Visible spectra. The second harmonic generation property of the compound was analysed.     

Growth and characterization of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone (2A-5CB) single crystals

Organic nonlinear optical single crystals of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone (2A-5CB) were grown in ethanol by slow solvent evaporation technique. The grown crystals were characterized by single-crystal XRD, FTIR, FT-Raman and UV–vis–NIR techniques. The UV–vis–NIR spectrum ascertains the cut-off wavelength of the sample as 390 nm. The powder second harmonic generation (SHG) technique reveals that 2A-5CB crystal has its SHG efficiency nearly three times that of KDP. The dielectric response of the sample was studied in the frequency region of 50 Hz–1 MHz at varying temperatures. The photoconductivity studies indicate that the 2A-5CB crystal exhibits negative photoconductivity. TGA–DTA studies confirm the melting point of the sample as 101.5 °C.     

Growth and characterization of a new nonlinear optical material: Potassium p-nitrophenolate dihydrate (NO2–C6H4–OK·2H2O) with new bonding properties

Single crystals of potassium p-nitrophenolate dihydrate (NPK·2H₂O) have been grown successfully using the isothermal solvent evaporation technique. It is a new semiorganic nonlinear optical crystal, possessing a d_eff of about 1.5 times that of lithium niobate and in which the K⁺ ions are bonded to the nitro group instead of bonding with the phenolic O⁻. Large single crystals of dimension upto 20×6×4 mm³ are harvested within a period of 60 days. The grown crystals are subjected to single crystal X-ray, FTIR and DRS-UV visible spectral, thermal and microhardness analyses. Single crystal X-ray analysis confirms the molecular formula and the structure of the crystal. FTIR spectral studies verify the functional groups present in the crystal. The DRS-UV visible spectrum proved the optical transparency of the crystal in the entire visible and near infrared region. Thermal studies reveal that the crystals are stable upto 180 °C. Microhardness measurements on the cleaved plane (1 1 0) explain the strength and slip direction in the crystal. The SHG efficiency of the crystal is examined by performing the Kurtz powder test using Nd:YAG laser.     

Solution growth of single crystals of 4-hydroxycyanobenzene (4HCB) suitable for electronic applications

Squared, platelet-like single crystals of 4-hydroxycyanobenzene (4HCB) have been grown from solutions based on ethylic ether and petroleum ether. Properly modifying the growth conditions, in terms of both solvent used for the growth and concentration of 4HCB in the starting solution, allowed one to tune the planar dimensions of the platelets in the range 2–6 mm, and their thickness in the range 150–600 μm. In this way samples well suited for desired practical manipulation and electronic measurements may be obtained. Moreover, lowering the growth temperature resulted in larger but still thin 4HCB crystals. The ability to tailor crystal thickness has allowed one to study their Space-Charge Limited Current (SCLC) behaviour along that dimension, showing that the so-contacted samples exhibit intrinsic-like bulk conduction behaviour, and are hence well suitable for electronic studies and applications.     

Growth of dl-malic acid-doped ammonium dihydrogen phosphate crystal and its characterization

Single crystals of dl-malic acid-doped ammonium dihydrogen phosphate have been grown using slow evaporation method and also by Sankaranarayanan–Ramasamy (SR) method with the vision to improve the properties of the ADP crystals. The characterization of grown crystals was made by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, UV–vis. spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), Vicker's microhardness, dielectric measurements, high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and second-harmonic studies. Structural difference between pure and doped crystal has been studied by XRD analysis. Functional groups were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The grown crystals were found to be transparent in the entire visible region. Decomposition temperatures of the grown crystals were measured by DTA. Vicker's hardness study carried out on (0 0 1) face at room temperature shows increased hardness of the doped crystals and SR-method-grown crystals. Dielectric measurements reveal that SR-method-grown DLM-doped ADP crystals have low dielectric loss. Crystalline perfection of the grown crystals is analyzed using HRXRD. Preliminary measurements indicate that the second harmonic generation efficiency of the doped crystals at a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm is roughly 1.5 times greater than that of pure ADP.     

Synthesis, growth and characterization of Bis S-benzylisothiouronium tetrachlorido zincate (II) a semiorganic nonlinear optical crystal

A new semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal, Bis S-benzylisothiouronium tetrachloridozincate (II) (SBTTZ), has been synthesized and good optical quality needle shaped single crystals of the title material were grown by solvent evaporation solution growth method at room temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the crystallinity of the material. Single X-ray diffraction study was carried out to establish the existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal. The UV–Vis–NIR spectrum indicates that the crystal has very good transmittance in the entire visible and near IR regions of the spectrum suggesting the suitability of the material for NLO applications. The presence of various functional groups was confirmed by FT IR spectroscopic technique. The ¹H NMR spectrum confirms the molecular structure. The thermal and mechanical stabilities have been confirmed by TG/DTA analyses and Vickers microhardness study respectively. The SHG in the grown crystal was identified by modified Kurtz–Perry method using Nd:YAG laser as the source.     

Growth of cadmium mercury thiocyanate single crystals using acetone–water mixed solvent and their characterization studies

Cadmium mercury tetrathiocyanate single crystals were grown from acetone–water (4:1) mixed solvent by slow evaporation solution technique. The structure of the grown crystal was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystalline perfection of cadmium mercury thiocyanate (CMTC) was ascertained by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) analysis. The presence of functional groups and the coordination of thiocyanate ion in the CMTC compound were confirmed by laser Raman spectroscopy. The optical transparency of CMTC single crystal was studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. Single-shot surface laser damage threshold of CMTC estimated using an Nd-YAG laser of wavelength 1064 nm was found to be 4.59 GW/cm² and second harmonic generation (SHG) output power was estimated through the Kurtz powder method. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss for various frequencies and temperatures were performed on CMTC single crystal.     

Growth and characterization of tetramethyl ammonium tetrachloro zincate II: A ferroic crystal

Ferroic crystals of tetramethyl ammonium tetrachlorozincate (TMA-ZnCl) were grown by slow evaporation technique and the morphology of the grown crystals varies with different pH values. The compound crystallizes in orthorhombic primitive system at room temperature with non-centro symmetric space group Pmna. The grown crystals were subjected to powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV–vis–NIR) spectral studies and thermal studies. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement confirms the existence of structural phase transition and the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies reveals that the crystal is thermally stable up to 330 °C. Vicker's microhardness studies expose that the material is mechanically stable up to a load of 60 g. The laser second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown crystal was found to be 1.3 times that of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP) crystal.     

Thermal and laser properties of Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 crystal

Large optical-quality Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄(Yb:YAB) crystals have been grown by the flux method. The thermal properties of Yb:YAB crystal were measured for the first time. The thermal properties of Yb:YAB crystal with different Yb³⁺ ion concentrations are also reported. The results show that the ytterbium concentration influences the properties of Yb:YAB crystal. The specific heat decreases with the increase of Yb³⁺ ion concentrations in the experiment range. Apparently, the thermal expansion coefficient increases along the c-direction with the increase of Yb³⁺ ion concentrations, while it changes slightly along the a-direction. The output laser in 1120–1140 nm ranges has been demonstrated pumped by InGaAs laser. The slope efficiency is 3.8%. The self-frequency-doubling output power of 1 mW is achieved.     

Growth and property of Zn-doped near-stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystal

Near-stoichiometric LiTaO₃ (SLT) and Zn-doped near-stoichiometric LiTaO₃ (Zn:SLT) crystals with 10–15 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length were grown by using TSSG technique with K₂O as the flux. The effect of adding amount of K₂O was discussed in the growing process. The crystals were characterized by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The lattice constants of Zn:SLT were smaller than those of SLT and Curie temperature was higher than that of SLT. It was found that Zn doping is an efficient way to improve the optical damage resistance ability of SLT crystal. Compared with SLT crystal, Zn:SLT exhibited a much higher optical damage threshold, more than 500 MW/cm², which was attributed to Zn self-compensated effect that formed the charge compensated complexes, (Zn_Ta)³⁻–3(Zn_Li)⁺ in SLT crystal.     

Sn3O4 single crystal nanobelts grown by carbothermal reduction process

This article reports on the growth of single crystal Sn₃O₄ nanobelts and SnO by a carbothermal reduction process in two different regions of a furnace tube. Even though intermediate tin oxide compounds (Sn₃O₄) have been observed experimentally, the study of structures based on them is a challenging task. Characterization data allowed us to propose that Sn₃O₄ nanobelts grew by vapor–solid mechanism while SnO grew by self-catalyst vapor–liquid–solid mechanism. Electrical measurements of a single Sn₃O₄ nanobelt were performed at different temperatures, revealing undoped semiconductor characteristics.     

Flux growth of PbMg1/3Ta2/3O3 single crystals

Single crystals of PbMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₃ (PMT) were grown by the flux method. The PbO–Pb₃O₄–B₂O₃ system was used as a solvent. Transparent and light yellow PMT single crystals of rectangular shape and dimensions up to 10×6×4 mm³ were obtained. For the applied growth conditions only, the crystals of the perovskite structure were grown. X-ray diffraction tests showed that at room temperature PMT exhibits cubic symmetry with lattice parameter a=4.042(1) Å. Dielectric studies pointed to relaxor properties of PMT. The characteristic broad and frequency-dependent maximum of dielectric permittivity was observed at 179.7 K (1 kHz).