Growth and physical properties of a new chiral open-framework crystal for NLO applications: Cesium hydrogen l-malate monohydrate

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth 2009-08, Vol.311 (16), p.4044-4049
• Main Authors: Babu Reddy, J.N., Vanishri, S., Kamath, Ganesh, Elizabeth, Suja, Bhat, H.L., Isakov, D., Belsley, M., de Matos Gomes, E., Aroso, T.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A1. Crystal morphology; A1. Single-crystal growth; A1. Solubility; A2. Growth from solutions; B2. Nonlinear optical materials; B2. Second-harmonic generation; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Equations of state, phase equilibria, and phase transitions; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from solutions; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of bulk materials and thin films; Physics; Solubility, segregation, and mixing; phase separation; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2009.06.041

Cesium hydrogen l-malate monohydrate, CsH(C 4H 4O 5)·H 2O, is a new chiral open-framework semi-organic crystalline material with a second-harmonic generation efficiency one order of magnitude greater than KDP. Single crystals of this new material have been grown by the conventional slow cooling technique from aqueous solution. Grown crystals display both platy and prismatic morphologies depending on the imposed supersaturation. Hardness values measured using Vickers hardness indenter show considerable anisotropy. The resistivity behavior at room temperature and above, places the crystal between an ionic conductor and a dielectric. The single-crystal SHG efficiency estimated through Maker fringes experiment gives d eff which is 4.24 times that of KDP. Single and multiple shot experiments performed on the grown crystals for the fundamental and second harmonic of pulsed Nd:YAG laser (1064 and 532 nm) show that it exhibits a high laser damage threshold which is a favorable property for nonlinear optical applications.