Dielectric and microhardness studies on L‐citrulline and L‐ascorbic acid admixture TGS crystals

Single crystals of amino acid doped (L–citrulline, L‐ascorbic acid) triglycine sulphate were grown by slow evaporation technique. The lattice parameters and crystalline quality were confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction studies. The presence of functional groups in the grown crystals was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis. The dielectric studies were carried out to identify the phase transition temperature and the dielectric constant was found to be less for both the doped crystals than pure triglycine sulphate crystal. Micro hardness studies were carried out using Vickers pyramidal indentation technique at room temperature showed a decrease in hardness due to doping. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

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.     

Growth,spectral and thermal properties of KAP single crystals in the presence of DL‐Alanine and L‐Methionine amino acid dopants

Single crystals of potassium acid phthalate (KAP) and amino acid (DL‐Alanine, L‐Methionine) doped KAP were grown from aqueous solutions by slow cooling method. The grown crystals were characterized using powder X Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. The thermal stability of KAP in the presence of dopants was analysed using Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning caloriemetric (TGA/ DSC) studies and the maximum temperature for non linear optical application of this compound in the presence of dopants was found out. The transmittance of KAP was found to increase in the presence of dopants. Etch pits were observed for all the crystals using different etchants. Vickers microhardness tests were performed to study the mechanical stability of the crystals. The hardness of DL‐alanine doped KAP is more than that of L‐alanine doped KAP crystal. The dielectric constant and loss were determined as a function of temperature. Frequency response of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor have been studied over the frequency range of 50Hz – 5MHz. Second harmonic generation (SHG) was confirmed in all the crystals using the Kurtz and Perry powder technique. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of undoped and thallium doped cesium iodide single crystals

Single crystals of pure and thallium (Tl) doped cesium iodide (CsI) have been grown by melt growth (Bridgman) technique. The grown crystals were subjected to powder X-ray diffraction and high-resolution XRD analysis. The cut and polished crystals were characterized for luminescence studies. UV-visible transmission studies have been carried out on the grown crystal in the wavelength range 200–650 nm. From the transmission spectrum it was found that the cut off wavelength increases with increase in Tl concentration and the transmittance is about 70%. The 0.06 mol% of Tl doped CsI crystal shows a good energy resolution of 7.6%. The hardness decreases for increasing the doping concentration. Etching studies have been carried out on doped and undoped crystals using methanol and water as etchant.     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of single crystals of pure and thiourea doped L‐glutamic acid hydrochloride

L(+)Glutamic acid hydrochloride [HOOC (CH₂)₂CH(NH₂) COOH·HCl], a monoamino dicarboxylic acid salt of L‐Glutamic acid was synthesized and the synthesis was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Solubility of the material in water was determined. Pure and Thiourea doped L‐Glutamic acid hydrochloride crystals were grown by low temperature solution growth using solvent evaporation technique. XRD, UV‐Vis‐NIR analyses were carried out for both pure and thiourea doped crystals. The crystals were qualitatively analyzed by EDAX analysis and the presence of thiourea was confirmed. The cell parameters of L‐Glutamic acid hydrochloride have been determined as a = 5.151 Å, b = 11.79 Å, c = 13.35 Å by X‐ray diffraction analysis and it crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. UV‐Vis‐NIR spectra analysis showed good optical transmission in the entire visible region for both pure and doped crystals. Micro hardness of both pure and doped crystals has been determined using Vickers micro hardness tester. The SHG efficiencies of both pure and doped crystals were determined using Kurtz powder test and pure L‐Glutamic acid hydrochloride crystal was found to possess better efficiency than thiourea doped L‐Glutamic acid hydrochloride crystals. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of pure and Hg2+ doped thiosemicarbazide cadmium chloride crystals

Semiorganic single crystals of thiosemicarbazide cadmium chloride (TSCCC) and mercury ions doped thiosemicarbazide cadmium chloride were synthesized by slow solvent evaporation technique. The grown crystals were subjected to powder X‐ray analysis and both the crystals were found to crystallize in the monoclinic system. EDAX analysis was carried out for chemical analysis of the grown crystals. The UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrum shows that both the materials have wide transparency window in the visible and near IR region. The dielectric studies were carried out to estimate the dielectric constant and dielectric loss with respect to frequency for both the crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth of thiourea-doped TGS crystals and their characterisation

Thiourea-doped Triglycine sulphate (ThTGS) crystal with three different concentrations of thiourea was grown from aqueous solution by slow cooling technique. The cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction analysis. A qualitative analysis of the presence of thiourea in doped crystals was estimated by FTIR analysis. Microhardness studies were carried out using Leitz Weitzler hardness tester at room temperature. Dielectric properties of the crystals were studied which showed a shift in the T_c when compared to pure TGS crystal. Pyroelectric studies were carried out and the pyroelectric coefficient was found. Piezoelectric studies (d₃₃ coefficient) has also been carried out.     

Growth and characterization of pure and doped nonlinear optical l‐arginine acetate single crystals

Single crystals of organic nonlinear optical material of pure, Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ doped L‐arginine acetate (LAA) were successfully grown by slow evaporation method at room temperature. The UV‐Vis‐NIR spectra of pure and doped LAA indicate that these crystals possess a wide optical transmission window from 240‐1600 nm. Non‐linear optical studies reveal that the SHG efficiency of LAA is nearly three times that of KDP. The dielectric response of the samples was studied in the frequency region 100 Hz to 2 MHz and the influence of Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ substitution on the dielectric behaviour had been investigated. Photoconductivity study proves that both pure and Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ doped LAA crystal exhibit positive photoconductivity. It is evident from the Vickers hardness study that the hardness of the crystal decreases with increasing load both for pure and doped samples. ESR studies confirmed the incorporation of Cu²⁺ into LAA and the value of g‐factor was found to be 2.1654. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of pure and lithium doped L‐alanine single crystals for NLO devices

Single crystals of pure and lithium substituted L‐alanine are successfully grown by slow evaporation method at constant temperature of 32°C. The effect of lithium dopant on crystal properties has been studied. Powder and single crystal XRD analysis confirms the structure and change in lattice parameter values for the doped crystals. The crystals were characterized by solubility studies, density, melting point measurements, FTIR and UV‐Vis‐NIR techniques. Thermal and mechanical stability of crystals were tested by TGA/DTA and micro hardness analysis. NLO activity of the crystals is found to be increased in the presence of lithium ions. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the crystals were studied as a function of frequency. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of ammonium malate on growth rate,crystalline perfection,structural, optical,thermal, mechanical,dielectric and NLO behaviour of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate crystals

The effect of ammonium malate on the growth rate, structural, optical, thermal, mechanical, dielectric properties, crystalline perfection and second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals grown by the slow cooling method has been investigated. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals were obtained by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Fourier transform infrared studies confirm the functional groups of the crystals. UV–vis study shows that the transparency is increased much by the dopant. Thermal analysis was performed to study the thermal stability of the grown crystals. Vickers hardness measurements reveal the higher hardness of the doped crystals. Low dielectric losses were observed from the dielectric measurements for the doped ADP crystals. The high-resolution X-ray diffraction studies show that the crystalline perfection of the crystals is good. The relative SHG efficiency measurements revealed that the dopant has enhanced the efficiency.     

Structural and microhardness studies of pure and thiourea doped glycine phosphite single crystal

Ferroelectric Glycine Phosphite (GPI) crystal have been grown from aqueous solution employing the slow cooling technique. As the crystal solubility in water depends on temperature, single crystals were grown. Transparent, colourless crystals with habit morphology weighing about 8g were obtained with in a month. The same procedure was used to grow single crystals of 10 wt% of Thiourea doped GPI (TUGPI). Formation of a new crystal was confirmed by Powder X‐ray diffraction studies as well as FTIR studies. Crystalline quality were found using rocking curve for both the crystals. Due to the presence of Thiourea in TUGPI, it improves the crystalline perfection and also enhances the growth rate. The variation of hardness on (010) faces of monoclinic GPI and TUGPI crystals, with load were studied.Vickers hardness numbers, H_v were found to decrease with the increase in load. The value of Mayer's index, ‘n ’ was found to be greater than 1.6 for GPI and TUGPI showing soft‐material category. The results are discussed in detail. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A comparative study of pure and potassium doped cadmium mercury thiocyanate single crystals grown in silica gel

Pure and potassium doped cadmium mercury thiocyanate single crystals have been obtained from silica gel by the process of diffusion. The X‐ray diffraction studies reveal the crystal lattice of both pure and doped crystals to be tetragonal. The crystalline perfection of the grown crystals were investigated by high resolution X‐ray diffraction analysis and the quality of the crystals are found to be extremely good. Transmission and Fourier transform infrared spectra were recorded for the grown crystals. The TG/DTA analyses show that the crystals are highly thermally stable. The mechanical strength of the crystals were studied by Vickers microhardness test and a study of their second harmonic generation efficiency in comparison with urea has been made by performing Kurtz powder test. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical and microhardness studies of semiorganic nonlinear optical material: L‐ histidine tetrafluoroborate

L‐histidine tetrafluoroborate (L‐HFB) a semiorganic nonlinear optical material has been synthesized in aqueous solution at 50°C and characterized by FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectroscopy studies. The solubility was determined in different solvents such as water, methanol and water mixture of methanol. The single crystals with dimensions 15x12x3 mm³ were grown by slow evaporation method within four weeks with approximate growth rate of 0.25 mm/day. The grown crystals have been subjected to single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies to determine the unit cell dimensions and morphology. The Kurtz powder second harmonic generation test shows that the compound is a potential candidate for frequency conversion. The refractive index has been measured using He‐Ne laser. The microhardness test was carried out and the load dependence hardness was observed. The material has a wide transparency in the entire visible region. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The influence of metallic substitution on the physical properties of manganese mercury thiyocyanate crystals

Good optical grade single crystals of pure, Cd²⁺ and Mg²⁺ doped Manganese Mercury Thiyocyanate (MMTC) crystals are grown by slow solvent evaporation technique at room temperature. Single crystal XRD studies reveal that the incorporation of metallic dopants has not changed the structure of the parent crystal. The SHG efficiencies of the pure and doped samples of MMTC are measured by Kurtz Perry powder method and the results are compared with urea. It is evident from microhardness study that the presence of dopants has increased the mechanical strength of MMTC crystal. The TG/DTG studies confirm that the thermal decomposition temperatures of pure (353°C), Mg²⁺ doped (363°C) and Cd²⁺ doped (365°C) MMTC are relatively high when compared to other NLO crystals of the same family. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of pure and metal doped bis(thiourea) zinc chloride single crystals

Metal (Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺) substituted single crystals of Bis(thiourea) zinc chloride (BTZC) are grown by slow solvent evaporation technique, with the vision to improve the physicochemical properties of the sample. Single crystal XRD studies of both pure and doped samples are carried out and the results are compared. Optical absorption and FTIR studies are performed to identify the UV cut‐off range and the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystals. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis of metal doped BTZC indicates a marginal increase in the thermal stability of the crystals. The dielectric response of the samples have been studied in the frequency range 100 Hz to 5 MHz at room temperature and the results are discussed. Photoconductivity studies carried out on pure and metal doped BTZC crystals revealed the negative photoconducting nature. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and thermal characterization of methylammonium tetrachloro zincate (II) monohydrate crystals

Single crystals of methylammonium tetrachloro zincate (II) monohydrate were grown by slow evaporation of saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. The grown crystals were colourless, bright and transparent. The crystals were characterized through elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric (TG‐DTA) and low temperature differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques. While the powder XRD pattern shows the crystallinity of the compound, the elemental analysis and the TG‐DTA confirm the stoichiometry of the compound. The low temperature DSC indicates first order structural phase transition at ‐8°C during heating cycle. The FTIR and far IR spectra of the compound show characteristic vibrational frequencies due to CH₃NH₃ and ZnCl₄^2‐ ions and other chemical bonds. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A comparative study on pure,l-arginine and glycine doped ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate single crystals grown by slow solvent evaporation and temperature-gradient method

Single crystals of pure, l-arginine and glycine doped ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate (ADP) were grown by both the slow solvent evaporation method and the temperature-gradient method of Sankaranarayanan–Ramasamy (SR). The metastable zone width for different saturation temperatures of pure glycine and l-arginine added solutions were carried out. The grown crystals were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical transmission, dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and Vickers microhardness. The DSC and TG curves of the grown crystals indicated that they were stable up to 200 °C. The XRD study confirmed the structure of the grown crystal. The optical transmission analysis revealed that the pure and doped ADP crystals had very high percentage of transmission in the entire visible region. The important optical parameters such as reflectance and extinction coefficients of the grown crystals were calculated. l-arginine and glycine were used as dopants to reduce dielectric constant of ADP. The a.c. resistivity and a.c. conductivity were calculated. Dielectric loss of the doped ADP crystals grown by the SR method is lower than the doped ADP crystals grown by the conventional method. Larger hardness value for the SR method grown crystals confirmed greater crystalline perfection.     

Single crystal growth,structural, optical,mechanical, dielectric and thermal studies of formic acid doped potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal for NLO applications

Optically transparent formic acid (FA) doped potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal of dimension 21×15×9 mm³ has been grown by slow evaporation solution technique (SEST). The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to confirm the cell parameters and the shifts in peak positions of identified reflecting planes. The incorporation of FA in KDP has been qualitatively analyzed by fourier transform infrared analysis. The UV‐visible absorption spectrum of crystals has been recorded in the range of 200 to 900 nm and the doped KDP crystal is found to have improved optical parameters than pure KDP. The color centered photoluminescence emission spectrum of grown crystal has been illustrated in visible region. The mechanical behavior of pure and doped KDP crystal has been investigated using the Vicker's microhardness analyzer and hardness parameters have been calculated. The effect of FA on thermal stability of KDP crystal was examined by means of thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The temperature dependent dielectric behavior of crystals was studied.     

An Investigation on the Lattice Distortion in Urea and KCl Doped KDP Single Crystals by X‐ray Diffraction Studies

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) doped with different mole concentrations of Urea and KCl were grown using low temperature solution growth technique. X‐ray diffraction studies were carried out on the grown crystals using a Shimadzu X‐ray diffractometer with CuKD radiation. X‐ray study revealed that the structures of the doped crystals are slightly distorted compared to the pure KDP crystal. This may be attributed to strains on the lattice by the adsorption of urea and KCl.     

Near‐stoichiometric LiNbO3:ZrO2 single crystal growth by micro pulling down method

Crack‐free, rod‐shaped single crystals of undoped and 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mol% ZrO₂‐doped LiNbO₃ with a near‐stoichiometric composition were grown by the micro‐pulling down (μ‐PD) method. The structural properties of the grown crystals were examined by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) of the near‐stoichiometric LiNbO₃ single crystals revealed the homogeneous incorporation of Zr ions. The change in the refractive index and IR transmission spectra of the grown crystals were examined as a function of the Zr concentration. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)