Growth, Linear and Nonlinear Optical Studies of D-Tartaric Acid Crystal

Abstract

A single crystal of D-Tartaric acid, a stereoisomer of tartaric acid, has been grown by a slow solvent evaporation technique. Good crystals to be used for optical testing were harvested after multiple recrystallizations, whose maximum size is 30x20x4mm 3 . In view of finding second harmonic generation efficiency and properties supporting for a nonlinear optical device, the grown crystals were subjected to various characterizations. Firstly, the compound was confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis and thereafter further studies were undertaken. Various possible functional groups available in the grown crystalline compound were identified using Fourier transform infrared analysis and reported. The second harmonic generation, a nonlinear optical property of a crystal, was studied and compared with standard KDP crystal. The percentage of linear optical transmittance in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation of wavelength ranging from 200 to 1100 nm was studied and explained in detail. Thermal studies such as Thermogravimetric and Differential thermal analysis were carried out to find the thermal stability of the crystalline material. Vicker’s microhardness testing was made on the as-grown crystalline surface to find the surface hardness, yield strength and other related mechanical properties of the crystal. Copyright © VBRI Press.