Growth and investigation of novel nonlinear optical single crystal of urea potassium dichromate by solution growth technique for photonic application

Single crystals of urea potassium dichromate (UPDC) were successfully grown by slow evaporation method at normal room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray diffractometer was utilized to measure the lattice parameters and to confirm the crystal system. The functional groups present in the grown UPDC crystal have been identified by the FTIR spectral analysis. The optical absorption studies were carried out so as to confirm the lower cutoff wavelength of the grown crystal which has been analyzed by making use of UV-Vis spectrum. The dielectric response and the mechanical hardness of the sample have been studied. The surface morphology of the sample was identified using scanning electron microscope. The existence of second-harmonic generation signals was observed using Nd: YAG laser with fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm possessing SHG efficiency of 2.5 times greater than that of KDP, and hence it can be a potential material for the frequency-doubling process.