Growth, structural, spectral, mechanical and dielectric characterization of RbCl-doped L-alanine hydrogen chloride monohydrate single crystals

Pure (undoped) and RbCl-doped LAHC single crystals were grown successfully by the solution method with the slow evaporation technique at room temperature. The grown crystals were colourless and transparent. The solubility of the grown samples were found out at various temperatures. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique and the diffracting planes were indentified by recording the powder X-ray diffraction pattern. UV-visible transmittance studies were carried out for the grown samples. Chemical analysis and atomic absorption studies indicate the presence of rubidium in the doped LAHC crystals. Nonlinear optical studies reveal that the SHG efficiency increases when the LAHC crystal is doped with rubidium chloride (RbCl). From microhardness studies, it is observed that the RbCl-doped LAHC crystal is harder than the pure sample. It is observed that the dielectric properties of the LAHC crystal are altered when it is doped with rubidium chloride. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.