Growth and characterization of a new organic nonlinear optical crystal: 1-(3-Nitrophenyl)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one

Organic nonlinear optical single crystal of 1-(3-Nitrophenyl)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one (Ci3NC) with dimensions 25×15×10 mm3 was successfully grown for the first time by the slow evaporation solution growth technique (SEST). The structural perfection of the grown crystals has been analyzed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) rocking curve measurements, and it was found that the crystalline perfection is reasonably good having very low angle (tilt angle ≤1′) internal structural grain boundary. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to study its thermal properties. Powder test with Nd:YAG laser radiation shows second harmonic generation which is about 7 times that of urea. The optical transmittance window and the lower cutoff wavelength of the Ci3NC have been identified by UV-vis-NIR studies. Third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) response of Ci3NC has been examined using Z-scan technique with femtosecond (fs), MHz pulses at wavelengths of 870 nm and 900 nm. Various NLO coefficients such as two-photon absorption (2PA) coefficient (β), three photon absorption (3PA) coefficient (γ), and nonlinear refractive index (η2) were evaluated.