Growth and characterization of non-linear optical crystal Cd3Zn3B4O12

Cd3Zn3B4O12 polycrystals were synthesized by solid-state and wet chemical reaction methods. Cd3Zn3B4O12 single crystals with millimeter grade were grown from the self-flux B2O3 (Cd:Zn:B = 1:1:1.5); and larger crystals were obtained from the PbO–0.85PbF2 fluxes easily. As-grown crystals were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric, X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectral analysis, respectively. The non-linear optical coefficient of the Cd3Zn3B4O12 crystal is 2.6 times as large as that of KH2PO4 crystal. Chemical etching shows that this crystal is very stable in neutral solution and not hygroscopic in air at room temperature.