Growth and characterization of Cu (II) doped negatively soluble lithium sulfate monohydrate crystals

Single crystals of pure and Cu (II) doped negatively soluble lithium sulfate monohydrate have been grown by slow evaporation solution technique. In the present work, to improve the crystalline quality of lithium sulfate monohydrate crystal, metal dopant was incorporated into the pure crystals. The as grown crystals are clear, transparent and the sizes of the crystals were up to 18×12×3 mm3 and 50×15×5 mm3. The presence of metal dopant has been confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis. Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to ascertain lattice parameters and identify different phase nature. Optical transmission spectrum of the grown crystals was recorded. FT-IR and thermal analysis were carried out to investigate the functional group and thermal behavior of the grown crystals respectively. The grown crystal was subjected to Vickers micro hardness, HRXRD, piezoelectric, laser damage threshold measurements and second harmonic generation efficiency studies.