Synthesis, growth and characterization of a nonlinear optical crystal: Bis l-proline hydrogen nitrate.

The single crystals of bis l-proline hydrogen nitrate (BLPHN) belonging to non-centrosymmetric space group were successfully grown by the slow evaporation solution growth technique. The BLPHN crystals of size 10×7×3mm(3) were obtained in 35days. Initially, the solubility tests were carried out for two solvents such as deionized water and mixed of deionized water-acetone. Among the two solvents, the solubility of BLPHN was found to be the highest in deionized water, so crystallization of BLPHN was done from its aqueous solution. As grown, crystals were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and optical transmission spectral studies. Infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis measurements were performed to study the molecular vibration and thermal behavior of the grown BLPHN crystals. Nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior of BLPHN crystal was studied by Kurtz and Perry powder method.