Growth and properties of semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal: L-Glutamic acid hydrochloride

Semiorganic nonlinear optical crystal of L-Glutamic acid hydrochloride (LGHC) was grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation technique. Single crystal X-ray Diffraction analysis confirms that LGHC crystallizes in orthorhombic system with noncentrosymmetric space group P212121. The powder X-ray diffraction study confirms the crystallinity of the grown crystal. The fundamental functional groups of the grown crystals were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic analysis in the range of 450–4000 cm−1. The range of optical transmission was ascertained using UV–vis–NIR studies. The Refractive Index of the LGHC crystal was found to be 1.4. The second harmonic generation efficiency of the LGHC was determined using Kurtz and Perry powder technique and it was 0.5 times greater than that of the KDP crystal. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) were used to study thermal behavior of the sample. The dielectric behavior and ac conductivity of the sample were studied as a function of frequency for different temperatures. The mechanical strength of the crystal was determined by Vicker׳s Hardness test. The elastic stiffness constant and yield strength of the sample was calculated.