Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Properties of Nonlinear Optical Materials

The object of this research proposal is the synthesis of new nonlinear optical materials including titanium silicates and borates containing alkali, alkaline earth metals, and main group metal cations with stereochemically active lone pair electrons. The synthetic methods include supercritical hydrothermal synthesis at 500-600 °C and 1000-1500 bar and flux synthesis at high temperature. The characterization techniques include single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction combined with spectroscopic methods and thermal analysis. In addition to the measurements of second harmonic generation on powder samples, we also grow large crystals with dimensions in centimeters using top seeded solution growth method in a suitable flux at high temperature. Detailed optical properties will be studied in cooperation with other research groups.