<title>Synthesis and characterization of optically nonlinear and light-emitting lanthanide borates</title>

Abstract

Lanthanide borates, LnBO3, were prepared via hydrothermal methods, specifically supercritical basic water, in sizes up to 3 X 0.5 X 0.5 mm and their crystallographic, physical, and optical properties studied. The materials are thermally stable up to 1000 degrees C and their crystal structure, although previously thought to be centric orthorhombic, is shown to be orthorhombic yet acentric as is confirmed by the observance of second harmonic generated light. Absorption and luminescence from the NdBO3 and PrBO3 is provided and discussed, along with the corroboration that these materials have bandgaps well above 5 eV. This work marks these lanthanide borates as candidate materials for deep-UV and nonlinear optical applications.