Study of Imperfections and Structure in Nonlinear-Optical Crystals of β-BaB2O4

Abstract

Imperfections in single crystals of the low-temperature form of barium boric oxide grown by the flux method were observed and studied by X-ray diffraction topography. The main structural defects are dislocations with severe pinning at both ends and impurity decoration, impurities, helical dislocations, dislocation loops, inclusions, electric domains, crystal boundaries etc. The possible origins of defects together with their contrast are discussed briefly from the structural point of view.