Crystal growth and characterization of l-phenylalaninium trichloroacetate—A new organic nonlinear optical material

Amino acid based crystals exhibit excellent nonlinear and electro-optical properties. A new nonlinear optical single crystal l-phenylalaninium trichloroacetate (LPTCA) belonging to the amino acid group was grown by the slow evaporation solution growth method. The grown crystals have been subjected to powder X-ray diffraction studies to identify the crystalline nature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study showed that LPTCA belongs to monoclinic crystal system. Fourier transform infrared study is used to confirm the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystal. Optical transparency of the grown crystals was investigated by UV-vis-NIR spectrum. The lower optical cutoff wavelength for this crystal is observed at 254 nm and energy band gap is 4.89 eV. Thermal properties of the LPTCA crystal were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques, which indicate that the material does not decompose before melting. The melting point of grown crystal was observed to be 136 °C in a melting point apparatus. The existence of nonlinear optical (NLO) property of LPTCA was confirmed by second harmonic generation test using Nd:YAG laser fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm.     

Effect of urea and thiourea on nonlinear optical hippuric acid crystals

Pure, urea and thiourea doped hippuric acid (HA) single crystals have been grown in acetone using slow evaporation technique at a constant temperature, with the vision to improve the properties of the crystals. The crystal systems and the unit cell parameters of the grown crystals were identified from single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystalline nature of the grown crystals was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and the diffraction peaks were indexed. The variations in composition due to the addition of dopants were identified by CHNS analysis. FT-IR studies reveal the presence of different vibrational bands. The optical characteristics were assessed by UV–vis analysis and it indicates the transmission in the visible region. TGA and DSC studies indicate the thermal behavior of pure and doped crystals. The Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) has been tested using Kurtz Powder Technique for the pure and doped crystals. It is found that the thiourea doped hippuric acid crystals have SHG efficiency of 2.08 times higher than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) single crystal. The dielectric studies were carried out, and the variations of dielectric constant and dielectric loss with temperature have been studied.     

Studies on the growth,structural, optical and laser damage threshold properties of 4-aminopyridinium p-aminobenzenesulfonate p-ammoniobenzenesulfonate monohydrate crystal

An organic nonlinear optical crystal 4-aminopyridinium 4-aminobenzenesulfonate 4-ammoniobenzenesulfonate monohydrate (4APABS) was grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The cell parameters of grown crystal were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. High resolution X-ray diffraction studies revealed the crystalline perfection of grown crystal. The functional groups present in title compound were confirmed by FTIR spectral studies. UV–vis spectral studies revealed that the grown crystal is transparent in the entire visible region. Single and multiple shots laser induced surface damage threshold values of the grown crystal were measured using Nd:YAG laser. The relative second harmonic generation efficiency of grown crystal was found to be 2.2 times that of KDP crystal.     

Growth and characterization of semi organic nonlinear optical l-Valine Ferric Chloride single crystal by solution growth technique

l-Valine Ferric Chloride single crystal is a new semi organic nonlinear optical material. It has been grown from a mixture of aqueous solutions of l-Valine and Ferric Chloride by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature for the first time. Single crystal XRD analysis revealed that the crystal system belongs to Cubic P with cell parameters are a = 24.38 Å, b = 24.38 Å, c = 24.38 Å and volume is 14,485 Å³. The UV spectrum shows existence of wide transparency window suitable for optoelectronic applications. Thermal stability and melting temperature of the as grown crystal was identified from TG-DTA analysis. Spectroscopic studies have been carried out for analyzing the presence of functional groups, thermal stability and phase transition of the grown crystal. The dielectric loss and the dielectric constant of the crystals were measured as a function of frequency. Photoluminescence study was carried out for grown crystals and the maximum emission occurs has good optical transmission in the entire visible region. Second harmonic generation (SHG) conversion efficiency has been estimated.     

Synthesis,crystal growth and characterisation of 2-aminomethylpyridinium picrate (2-ampp)-a charge transfer molecular complex and organic nonlinear optical material

Single crystals of 2-aminomethylpyridinium picrate (2-AMPP) were grown by slow evaporation-solution growth technique at room temperature. The cell and structural parameters of the grown crystal were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The characteristic functional groups in the compound were identified from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The transmission and absorption spectra of this crystal show that the lower cut-off wavelength lies at 360 nm. Thermal analysis was performed to study the thermal stability of the grown crystal. The powder second harmonic generation efficiency of the grown crystal measured by Kurtz technique is 2 times efficient than potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP). Vicker's microhardness test showed that the hardness value increases with increasing the applied load up to 50 g. The dielectric measurements of the compound in the frequency region from 50 Hz to 5 MHz showed that the material has lesser defects and can be used for optical application.     

Studies on amino acid picrates: Crystal growth,structure and characterization of a new nonlinear optical material l-isoleucinium picrate

A series of l-amino acids, isoleucine, valine, glutamine, methionine, arginine, cystine and aspargine are employed to form picrates with picric acid (1:1). A comparison of cell parameters reveals that expected picrates are formed only in the case of l-valine and l-isoleucine. l-Isoleucinium picrate (LIP), a new nonlinear optical material was grown from aqueous medium by the slow evaporation of equimolar mixture of l-isoleucine and picric acid. The structure of the grown crystal as determined by single crystal XRD diffraction analysis reveals that it belongs to the monoclinic system with space group P2₁ and the cell parameter values are, a = 9.970(3) Å; b = 6.425(2) Å; c = 12.871(4) Å; β = 109.54(3)°; V = 770.0(4) Å³; Z = 2. The presence of functional groups in the LIP is confirmed by FT-IR vibrational patterns and the good crystallinity indicated by powder X-ray diffraction method. The relative second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency measurements reveal that the LIP is a highly efficient nonlinear optical (NLO) material having an activity 16 times as that of the reference material potassium dihydrogen phosphate. The optical transparency has been studied using UV–vis spectrophotometer and the absorption is minimum in the visible region. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses reveal the purity of the sample and no decomposition is observed up to the melting point.     

Crystal growth,structural, linear and nonlinear optical studies of 4-methyl-4′-N’-methylstilbazolium tosylate single crystals

Organic 4-methyl-4′-N’-methylstilbazolium tosylate, a new derivative of the stilbazolium tosylate family compound was synthesized by condensation method. The optical quality single crystals with dimension 5 mm × 4 mm × 2 mm were grown by slow evaporation technique at 40 °C. The crystal system and lattice parameters were found from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The optical transmittance, cut-off wavelength (402 nm) and band gap energy (3.09 eV) were estimated by UV–visible studies. The surface laser damage threshold study was carried out for MMST crystal using Nd:YAG laser. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ³) for MMST crystal was estimated by employing Z-scan technique using 1064 nm laser.     

Synthesis, crystal growth and characterization of a metal-organic nonlinear optical tri-allylthiourea mercury chloride single crystals

Metal-organic nonlinear optical material tri-allylthiourea mercury chloride single crystal was grown using low temperature solution growth method. The growth parameters such as pH and temperature were optimized for getting colorless single crystals. The X-ray rocking curve measurement shows that the grown crystal was free from internal structural grain boundaries. The structural, spectral, optical and thermal properties of the grown specimen were studied using various characterization techniques. The defects present in the grown crystals were studied with chemical etching analysis. The results show that the grown crystals are suitable candidates for nonlinear optical applications.     

Growth and characterization of bis(thiourea) zinc carbonate (BTZC) a new nonlinear optical material by solution growth slow evaporation technique

A new semi-organic nonlinear optical bis(thiourea) zinc carbonate (BTZC) material has been synthesized. BTZC single crystals were grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The grown crystals were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), powder XRD, FTIR, UV–visible, thermal, and second harmonic generation (SHG) analysis. Single crystal XRD study has been carried out to identify the lattice parameters. FTIR studies confirm the functional groups present in the grown crystal. Optical transmission studies have confirmed that the grown crystal is highly transparent. Thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analyses reveal the good thermal stability of the material. The SHG conversion efficiency of BTZC was determined using Kurtz powder technique and found 1.3 times more than that of KDP.     

Growth and characterization of γ-glycine single crystals from cadmium chloride for optoelectronic applications

Single crystal of γ-glycine, an organic nonlinear optical material has been grown by solvent evaporation technique from the aqueous solutions of glycine and cadmium chloride at ambient temperature for the first time. The γ-phase of glycine is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal is in hexagonal system with non-centrosymmetric space group P31. The FTIR spectral analysis shows the functional group vibration of γ-phase glycine. UV–vis–NIR analysis reveals that the crystal has good optical transparency window in the entire visible and IR region. UV cut-off wavelength is at ∼350 nm. Thermal analysis shows the thermal stability, phase transition of the grown crystals and its melting point. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal is about 1.7 times that of KDP.     

2-Phenylethylammonium p-hydroxybenzoate: Growth,structural, spectral,thermal, optical and mechanical characterization

An efficient nonlinear optical single crystal of 2-phenylethylammonium p-hydroxybenzoate (2PPHB) was grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation solution growth method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that 2PPHB crystallizes in orthorhombic crystal system with non-centrosymmetric space group of Pna2₁. The presence of functional groups in the synthesized compound was identified by FTIR spectral analysis. The grown crystals were thermally stable up to 155 °C. UV–vis absorption, photoluminescence and birefringence optical properties of grown crystal were explored. The laser induced surface damage threshold and relative second harmonic generation properties of the grown crystal were studied using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The variation of dielectric properties of the grown crystal with frequency was investigated for different temperatures. The mechanical response of the crystal was studied by Vicker's microhardness technique.     

Synthesis, growth and characterization of novel semiorganic nonlinear optical potassium boro-succinate (KBS) single crystals

Single crystals of novel semiorganic material, potassium boro-succinate (KBS) have been grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation technique. The lattice parameters for the grown crystals were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The presence of functional groups was estimated qualitatively by using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The optical absorption spectrum shows that the UV cut-off wavelength for the grown crystal is at 240 nm. The thermal stability of the KBS crystal was studied by using TG/DTA analysis. The dielectric constant and loss were studied as a function of frequency. Nonlinear optical properties (NLO) test was performed by using Kurtz powder technique.     

Optical,dielectric and ferroelectric behaviour on doped lithium sulphate crystals

Optically transparent single crystals of urea doped with lithium sulphate (ULS), thiourea doped with lithium sulphate (TLS) and cupric chloride doped with lithium sulphate (CuLS) were grown in aqueous solution by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the changes in the lattice parameters of the ULS, TLS and CuLS. The lattice parameters and the quality of doped crystals were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction studies. The functional groups present in the ULS, TLS and CuLS crystals were determined qualitatively by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Optical absorption studies revealed that doped crystals acquire very low absorption in the entire visible region. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) gives the chemical composition of the grown crystal. CHN analysis confirmed the presence of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen in the added dopants. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the doped crystal were studied as a function of frequency and temperature and the ferroelectric property of the crystal was confirmed by dielectric studies.     

Studies on physico-chemical properties of hydroxyethylammonium (l) tartrate monohydrate single crystals

In this paper, we report the growth and characterization of hydroxyethylammonium (l) tartrate monohydrate single crystals grown by slow evaporation solution technique. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the crystal belongs to the monoclinic system having P2₁ space group. Photoinduced optical absorption effects were studied on the crystalline samples irradiated with CW 532 nm (green) and 689 nm (red) laser wavelengths. The relative second harmonic generation efficiency of the title crystal was found to be 1.4 times larger than that of KDP crystal. The thermal, mechanical, dielectric and optical studies of the single crystals were carried out to propose the material for useful applications. The reflectance and refractive indices were also evaluated from optical transmission spectrum. Further the electronic excitation calculations were carried out to understand the charge transfer mechanisms.     

Effect of Co2+ on the growth,optical properties and laser damage threshold of potential nonlinear optical l-alanine single crystal

Good transparent bulk single crystals of pure l-alanine (LA) and cobalt doped LA crystals have been synthesized and successfully grown by slow-cooling method from their aqueous solutions. The concentration of metal dopants in the mother solution with 0.5 mol% for cobalt was carried out individually and crystals were obtained with well defined morphology. The as grown metal doped and pure single crystals were characterized by single crystal XRD studies which confirm that the incorporation of metallic dopants has not changed the basic structure of the parent crystal. The absorption of these crystals was analyzed and the result confirms that they possess low absorption in the range 230–1100 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was carried out to investigate the molecular vibrations of these crystals and to confirm the incorporation of the dopants. The thermal properties have been studied by TGA/DTA curves. The EDAX measurement and surface morphology were studied for pure and metal doped LA crystals. The second harmonic generation (SHG) signals were observed using Nd: YAG laser with fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm in pure and metal doped crystals. The laser damage threshold was measured for pure and metal doped LA crystals and also tested by using a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser showed enhanced LDT value for metal (Co²⁺) doped LA crystal compared to pure LA crystal due to the metallic substitutions thus proving their useful candidature for nonlinear optical applications.     

Synthesis, growth and characterization of a new derivative 4-ethoxy-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium besylate monohydrate single crystal

A new organic material 4-ethoxy-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium besylate monohydrate, a derivative in the stilbazolium family, known for efficient nonlinear optical materials, has been synthesized for the first time. Employing the slow evaporation technique, optically transparent good quality single crystals of size 15 mm×10 mm×5 mm were grown from methanol. The cell dimensions obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the crystal belongs to the monoclinic system. Functional groups of the grown crystal were identified from FTIR and NMR spectral analysis. UV−vis−NIR studies show that the crystal is transparent in the wavelength range 460-1100 nm. The thermal stability of the compound was determined by thermal analyses of the specimen.     

Synthesis,spectral, thermal and optical characterization of benzyltributylammonium trichlorobarium(II) monohydrate crystal

A new nonlinear optical semiorganic crystal, benzyltributylammonium trichlorobarium(II) monohydrate was grown by slow evaporation solution growth method at ambient temperature. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the crystal confirms its crystallinity. The absorption spectrum of the material shows a peak at 265 nm and no absorption observed in the entire visible region indicates that the compound can be used as a nonlinear optical material. The optical transmittance spectrum of the grown crystal shows a lower cut-off wavelength at 235 nm with transparency of 88%. Thermal stability of the crystal was studied by thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyses (TG-DTG and DTA). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis shows thermal anomalies in the heating and cooling cycles that indicates the occurrence of a first order phase transition. The various characteristics absorption chemical bands and BaCl₃⁻ vibration were assigned through fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. The second harmonic generation efficiency (SHG) of the grown crystal was analyzed by Kurtz–Perry powder technique using Nd:YAG laser. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the compound decrease with increase in frequency.     

Growth and physical properties of an organic crystal for NLO applications: Guanidinium phenyl arsonate (GPA)

Single crystals of organic material guanidinium phenyl arsonate (GPA) of size 28 × 14 × 10 mm³ were grown from propanol–water mixed solvent by slow solvent evaporation technique. The crystal belongs to monoclinic system with noncentrosymmetric space group Cc. The lattice parameter values of GPA crystals are a = 18.453 Å, b = 7.609 Å, c = 12.592 Å and β = 121.856°. The grown crystal was subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) study to identify its morphology and structure. Chemical etching study using propanol–water as etchant reveals the mechanism of growth. The formation of synthesized compound was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis. Optical transmittance and second harmonic generation (SHG) of the grown crystals were studied by UV–vis–NIR spectrum and Kurtz powder technique respectively. The transmittance of GPA has been used to calculate the refractive index ‘n’ and the extinction coefficient ‘k’. The laser induced surface damage threshold for the grown crystal was determined using Nd:YAG laser. The mechanical behavior of GPA was analyzed using Vickers microhardness test.     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of non-linear optical material: l-Tryptophan p-nitrophenol (LTPNP) single crystal

A new nonlinear optical organic crystal l-tryptophan p-nitrophenol (LTPNP) of dimension 19 mm × 2 mm × 1.5 mm has been grown from an aqueous solution for the first time by slow evaporation technique at ambient temperature. The crystal structure of LTPNP was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. LTPNP crystallizes in non-centrosymmetric monoclinic system with space group P₂₁. The recorded FTIR spectrum confirms the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystal and confirms the formation of LTPNP. Thermal stability and melting temperature of the LTPNP crystal were identified from TG/DTA analysis. The optical absorption study confirms the suitability of the crystal for device applications. LTPNP exhibits SHG efficiency over 1.7 orders of magnitude higher than that of urea and 4 orders of magnitude higher than that of KDP.     

Thermal, optical, mechanical and dielectric properties of nonlinear optical crystal 4-methoxy benzaldehyde-N-methyl 4-stilbazolium tosylate

We have grown organic nonlinear optical 4-methoxy benzaldehyde-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium tosylate (MBST) crystals by slow evaporation technique. The grown crystals were analyzed by powder XRD, FTIR, NMR, UV, Thermal, mechanical and dielectric measurements. Lattice parameters and crystallinity of the crystal is confirmed by the XRD studies. The FTIR and NMR studies give the details about the various functional groups present. In order to study the optical quality of the crystal, the UV-vis absorption spectrum was recorded and cut-off wavelength was determined. Melting point of the crystal is found from the differential scanning calorimetry. The powder SHG studies were done with the Kurtz powder technique and the NLO efficiency is 17.2 times greater than that of urea. The surface of the grown crystal was analyzed with etching. Laser damage threshold studies have been carried out for the crystal using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser of 10 ns pulses.