Synthesis, growth and characterization of organic nonlinear optical single crystal 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (BMP) by vertical Bridgman technique

An organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (BMP) single crystal has been successfully grown by vertical Bridgman stockbarger technique (VBT) using single wall ampoule. The grown crystal was subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (SXRD) to confirm the cell parameters and powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD) to confirm the crystallinity. FTIR analyses were carried to identify the functional groups. The UV-Vis spectrum of BMP showed the lower optical cut off at 435 nm and is transparent in the visible region. The mechanical property of the titled crystal is analyzed by using microhardness measurements. Laser damage threshold energy was determined using Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm). The photoconductivity study of BMP reveals the positive photoconducting nature. The NLO property of the grown crystal confirmed by Kurtz and Perry powder technique and the SHG efficiency of the grown crystal was obtained to be 1.04 times greater than Urea. Z-scan studies calculated the third order nonlinear optical parameters like refractive index (n2), the absorption coefficient (β) and third order susceptibility (χ3).