Microstructural evolution, enhanced third-order nonlinear optical, thermal properties, photonic applications of sodium-doped potassium nickel sulfate hexahydrate crystal
摘要
The inorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) single crystal of sodium-doped potassium nickel sulfate hexahydrate was grown at room temperature using a slow evaporation solution growth technique for NLO applications. The grown crystal belongs to the monoclinic crystal system, and its P2₁/a centrosymmetric space group was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigation. The corresponding functional groups were clearly observed in both the FTIR and Raman spectrum. Elemental composition of the grown crystal was confirmed by EDAX analysis, and SEM images investigating the sodium-doped KNSH crystal revealed a uniform morphology. The optical quality of the sodium-doped KNSH crystal has exhibited a strong absorption band in the UV–Visible spectrum, with an energy gap of Eg is 5.90 eV. In photoluminescence analysis, the emission spectrum was utilized to determine the chromaticity, yielding a color purity of 82.81%. Thermal stability and decomposition of the inorganic sodium-doped KNSH crystal were measured using TG-DTG and DSC analyses. The crystal demonstrated a power density value of 7.74 GW/cm2 in laser damage threshold. Third-order Z-scan analysis confirms the grown sodium-doped KNSH crystal (10.1798 × 10⁻⁸ esu) possesses significantly higher NLO properties compared to the previously reported KDP crystal (5.70 × 10⁻14 esu).