Flux growth and characterization of a new oxyborate crystal Na3La9O3(BO3)8

Single crystals of Na3La9O3(BO3)(8) have been successfully grown by the top-seeded solution growth method from a high-temperature solution using Na2CO3 and H3BO3 as fluxes. The crystal was colorless and transparent, the typical size was about 9 x 7 x 3 mm(3). The fluxes Na2CO3 and H3BO3 at the molar ratio of 1/0.5-1/1.5, the solute concentration about 5-15 mol% and the growth temperature at 1120-1160 degrees C were advantageous to the crystal growth of Na3La9O3(BO3)(8). Optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements of laser radiation showed that Na3La9O3(BO3)(8) exhibits an optical SHG effect, which is about 3-5 times as large as that of KDP (KH2PO4). The transparency range of the crystal extends from 270 to 2100 nm. Na3La9O3(BO3)(8) crystal has potential application as a nonlinear optical material. (C) 2004 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.