Synthesis, growth and characterization of 4-bromo-4′chloro benzylidene aniline—A third order non linear optical material

The organic nonlinear optical material of 4-bromo-4′chloro benzylidene aniline (BCBA) was synthesized and single crystal of BCBA was grown from acetone solution by solvent evaporation method at room temperature. Its three dimensional structure was elucidated from single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis at 173 K. Synthesized compound of BCBA was subjected to FTIR and 1H and 13C NMR spectral analyses. The range and percentage of optical transmission of BCBA was determined by UV–vis–NIR spectrum and its fluorescence spectrum was recorded using spectrofluorometer. The mechanical strength of the crystal was estimated using Vickers microhardness test on the (0 0 1) plane. Dielectric constant of the grown crystal was measured for various frequencies along (0 0 1) plane. The third order nonlinear optical properties of BCBA were investigated by Z-scan technique with He–Ne laser radiation of wavelength at 632.8 nm and the corresponding nonlinear refractive index, absorption coefficient and optical susceptibility were calculated.