New potential materials for infrared nonlinear optics. Preparation, characterisation and optical transparency of monometallic and bimetallic iodates

The non-centrosymmetric compounds Mg(IO3)2, Mn(IO3)2, Co(IO3)2 and Zn(IO3)2 are isostructural and crystallise in space-group type P21P21 with a pseudo-hexagonal lattice leading to the formation of a three-individual twin by pseudo-merohedry. Because of this structural analogy, solid solutions are possible between these metallic iodates. Bimetallic iodates Mn1−xZnx(IO3)2 form a solid solution over the entire domain of composition. Second harmonic generation test and absorption studies carried out on theses materials show high nonlinear activities, high damage thresholds and are transparent up to 12 μm in the IR.

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