Crystal growth of lanthanum calcium borate (LCB) single crystals from melt and its characterization

Non-linear optical lanthanum calcium borate (LCB) single crystals were grown by the melt growth method using the Czohralski technique. The polycrystalline LCB compound is synthesized using the solid state reaction method. The grown crystals were characterized by XRD, EDAX, DTA, HRXRD, specific heat, dielectric and NLO studies. The powder XRD pattern revealed the formation of LCB compound and the lattice parameters of the grown crystals were identified through single crystal XRD studies. The melting point of the LCB compound is analyzed by the DTA measurements. Good crystalline nature of the grown crystal is observed from HRXRD analysis. Specific heat measurements in the temperature range 50–550 °C are carried out for the as grown crystal samples. The results obtained by the dielectric and NLO studies are also presented.

► Lanthanum calcium borate is a recently developed nonlinear optical crystal of the borate crystal family.
► Room temperature dielectric behavior of the LCB crystal is reported for the first time.
► HRXRD diffraction curve with FWHM value of 32″ shows good crystalline nature of the crystal.