Effect of rare-earth dopants on the growth and structural, optical, electrical and mechanical properties of l-arginine phosphate single crystals

Effect of Thorium, Lanthanum and Cerium rare-earth ions on the growth and properties of l-arginine phosphate single crystals has been reported. The incorporation of rare-earth dopants into the l-arginine phosphate crystals is confirmed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy analysis. The unit cell parameters for pure and rare-earth doped l-arginine phosphate crystals have been estimated by powder X-ray diffraction studies. UV–visible studies revealed the transmittance percentage and cut-off wavelengths of the grown crystals. Powder second harmonic generation measurement has been carried out for pure and doped l-arginine phosphate crystals. The dielectric behavior of the grown crystals was analyzed for different frequencies at room temperature. The mechanical properties have been determined for pure and the doped l-arginine phosphate crystals.

Research highlights▶ Thorium, Lanthanum and Cerium rare-earth ions were doped with l-arginine phosphate material and the crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique. ▶ The transparency of the rare-earth doped LAP crystals has enhanced compared to pure LAP. ▶ The powder SHG measurements revealed that the SHG output of rare-earth doped LAP crystals increases considerably compared to that of LAP. ▶ Vicker's hardness number of as-grown crystal of LAP is higher than that of rare-earth doped LAP crystals.