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.