Studies on the nonlinear optical single crystal: Ammonium d,l-tartrate (C4H9NO6)

The organic nonlinear optical material ammonium d,l-tartrate single crystal has been successfully grown by slow evaporation solution technique (SEST). The grown crystals were characterized by single crystal XRD and the lattice parameters have been confirmed. The structural perfection of the grown crystal was analyzed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction measurement. The optical transmittance spectrum shows that the material has a good optical transparency in the entire visible region with the UV cut-off wavelength at 234 nm. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric measurements were performed to study the thermal properties of the grown crystal. Chemical etching studies were attempted to determine the dislocation density of the grown crystal. Mechanical behavior was assessed using Vickers hardness testing carried out on (0 0 1) crystallographic plane. The Kurtz–Perry powder SHG technique confirms the NLO property of the grown crystal and the efficiency of AMT crystal was found to be 1.3 times that of standard KDP crystal.

(a) Ammonium d,l-tartrate crystal grown by slow evaporation solution technique (SEST). (b) HRXRD recorded for a typical AMT single crystal for (2 2 2) diffracting plane.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Single crystal of AMT was grown by slow evaporation solution technique for the first time.
► The crystalline perfection was investigated using HRXRD and chemical etching analysis.
► The optical quality and mechanical stability of the AMT crystal was studied by UV-Vis-NIR and Vickers microhardness.
► AMT crystal was thermally stable up to 200 °C.
► SHG efficiency of AMT is 1.3 times greater than that of KDP sample.