Growth, crystal structure and characterization of a nonlinear optical crystal: Deuterated l-arginine trifluoroacetate

In order to reduce the absorption of l-arginine trifluoroacetate (LATF) in near-infrared region, deuterated LATF (DLATF) crystals have been synthesized and grown successfully. The grown crystals were characterized by the single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra. DLATF belongs to monoclinic space system, space group P21, with unit cell parameters: a = 10.547(6), b = 5.696(3), c = 10.825(6) Å, β = 106.747(10)°, V = 622.8(6) Å3 and Z = 2. Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies were carried out to characterize its thermal behaviors. The specific heat has been investigated in the temperature range of 293–453 K. Optical transmission spectrum and second harmonic generation were investigated to study its optical properties. The laser-induced damage threshold measurement revealed that the crystal has a higher damage threshold than that of LATF.