Semiorganic nonlinear optical material for frequency doubling: Preparation and properties of sodium p-nitrophenolate dihydrate (SPNP)

Sodium p-nitrophenolate (SPNP), a semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material useful for frequency doubling in the IR region, has been synthesized. The solubility studies have been carried out in the temperature range 30-50 °C. Single crystals (size 12 mm × 7 mm × 4 mm) have been grown by slow evaporation of the saturated aqueous solution (methanol as solvent) at 30 °C. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The UV-vis-NIR transmittance spectrum has been recorded in the range 200-1500 nm. The molecular structure was confirmed by FT-IR and FT-NMR. SPNP was thermally stable up to 103 °C as determined by TG/DTA curves. By a modified Kurtz and Perry method, the powder SHG efficiency was found to be five times that of KDP and its phase matching property was established. Laser damage threshold of SPNP was determined using a Nd:YAG laser.