Growth, thermal, and optical properties of L-asparagine monohydrate NLO single crystal

Single crystal of l-asparagine monohydrate (LAM), organic nonlinear optical material has been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was employed to identify the cell parameters. FT-IR analysis was used to estimate the qualitative presence of the amino acids in the grown crystal. Anisotropy properties like thermal and dielectric properties were studied on the grown crystal. The sample was thermally stable up to 125 A degrees C. Also various thermodynamic properties were calculated and reported for the first time. Optical properties such as optical absorption, second harmonic generation, photoluminescence and photoconductivity analysis were also studied on the grown crystal. Optical absorption studies showed a lower UV cut-off of 225 nm. The SHG efficiency of the sample was seven times higher than that of KDP. Photoluminescence study confirms the suitability of the material for the generation of blue radiation. Multilayer plate-like pattern of growth was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The photoconductivity study confirms that the LAM crystal has negative photoconducting nature.