Structure and property relationship of methoxy substituted novel organic crystals for photonic applications

Abstract

In the present work, a promising non-centrosymmetric chalcone derivative 3-(2, 4, 6-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-prop-2-en-1-one (2TM) was investigated to define their potential for photonic applications through various characterization techniques. Therefore 2TM has been synthesized and single crystals have been grown using slow evaporation solution growth technique. The UV–Vis-NIR spectrum reveals the transparency of the crystal for the entire visible region. The thermal stability and phase transition of the compound was studied by thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis and found to be stable up to 132 °C. For structural conformation, the Fourier transform infrared spectral tests were performed on 2TM. For nonlinear optical studies of the third order, the Z-scan experiment was conducted. The material had reverse saturation absorption and self-defocusing properties and therefore, 2TM showed strong nonlinear absorption coefficients and optical limiting behavior, under continuous wave diode-pumped solid state laser. Second harmonic generation efficiency of 2TM crystal is 1.12 times the urea efficiency. The single crystal x-ray diffraction studies of the crystal showed that the crystal system of 2TM is orthorhombic with space group P n a 21. The structural and property relationship studies are carried out for the methoxy substituted organic crystals. Thus, the reported crystal can be used for photonic applications due to its excellent optical properties.