Studies on growth and characterization of l-alanine strontium chloride trihydrate single crystals for optical applications

The optically transparent nonlinear optical single crystals of l-alanine strontium chloride trihydrate (LASCT) were grown by slow evaporation solution growth method using water as solvent. The purity of the crystals was increased by the method of recrystallization. The grown crystals were analyzed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction pattern which proved that LASCT belongs to monoclinic crystal system. The presence of various functional groups and modes of vibrations were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The optical absorption study confirms the suitability of the crystal for device applications. The thermal strength and the decomposition of the grown crystals were studied using TG/DTA analyses. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss measurements of the grown crystals at different frequencies of the applied field were measured and reported. The mechanical strength of the crystal is estimated by Vicker's hardness test. The nonlinear optical properties of the grown crystals were confirmed by second harmonic generation test which shows the suitability of NLO applications.