Growth and study of nonlinear optical P-dimethyl-aminobenzaldehyde crystal for photonic device application

Pera dimethyl-aminobenzaldehyde (p-DMAB) is a well known aromatic compound with nonlinear optical properties in various application fields such as optoelectronics, photonics etc. The single crystal of p-DMAB is grown by slow evaporation technique (constant temperature bath) at room temperature. These grown crystals are good in size with transparent appearance. The grown crystals are characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, UV-spectroscopy, second harmonic generation (SHG), optical limiter behavior, Vickers hardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Single crystal XRD provides information about the crystal structure. The powder XRD shows that material is crystalline in nature. FTIR-spectroscopy provides information about the relevant functional group present in the compound. Carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen analysis shows appropriate composition of these elements within this material. UV–vis study reveals that materials have wide window over the entire visible region. The observed order of refractive index points their use in anti-refracting coating devices. Good linear polarisability, susceptibility, optical conductivity data are also appropriate to decide their use in optical device fabrications. Wider optical band gap described dielectric behavior of material. SHG test shows that material has 2.03 times greater efficiency than the reference material KDP. Moreover the emission of green light indicates that the material can be used to develop green–blue laser. Optical limiter behavior shows that material is suitable for fabrication of an optical limiter device. The Vicker's microhardness study was also carried out on the sample. Vickers hardness test shows increment in hardness, yield strength and stiffness of material. SEM images show smooth morphology at different magnifications. (paper)