Nonlinear optical single crystals for terahertz generation and detection

Nonlinear optical (NLO) single crystals with high quality are the pillars for the development of new devices that fulfil the demands of society. Nowadays, NLO single crystals are very attractive for the photonic applications particularly for terahertz (THz) photonics. The reason for their popularity is that these crystals can produce very powerful and ultra wideband THz waves due to their high nonlinear susceptibility. In this review paper, we deal with the challenges and progresses in the evolution of NLO single crystals for THz wave generation and detection. Here, we review the single crystal growth that how and by which method single crystal is grown. We summarize the structures, intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, their properties and how they generate and detect the THz waves. Widely used single crystals at present are DAST, BNA, OH1, amino acid-based single crystals, etc.

Recent Developments on Relaxor-PbTiO3 Ferroelectric Crystals

Numerous investigations on the development of the relaxor-PbTiO3 ferroelectric crystals have been carried out since their extraordinary properties were revealed. Recent developments on these crystals have offered further advances in electromechanical applications. In this review, recent developments on relaxor-PbTiO3 crystals and their practical applications are reviewed. The single crystal growth methods are first discussed. Two different strategies, poling and doping, for piezoelectric improvement are surveyed in the following section. After this, the anisotropic features of the single crystals are discussed. Application perspectives arising from the property improvements for electromechanical devices are finally reviewed.

Bulk and Single Crystal Growth Progress of Iron-Based Superconductors (FBS): 1111 and 1144

The discovery of iron-based superconductors (FBS) and their superconducting properties has generated huge research interest and provided a very rich physics high Tc family for fundamental and experimental studies. The 1111 (REFeAsO, RE = Rare earth) and 1144 (AEAFe4As4, AE = Ca, Eu; A = K, Rb) families are the two most important families of FBS, which offer the high Tc of 58 K and 36 K with doping and without doping, respectively. Furthermore, the crystal growth of these families is not an easy process, and a lot of efforts have been reported in this direction. However, the preparation of high-quality and suitable-sized samples is still challenging. In this short review, we will summarize the growth of materials with their superconducting properties, especially polycrystals and single crystals, for the 1111 and 1144 families, and make a short comparison between them to understand the developmental issues.

Electrical Properties of Pure and Modified Copper Tartrate Single Crystals

The present paper reports the electrical properties of pure and sodium modified copper tartrate single crystals. Single crystal growth of these materials followed by their characteristics has already been published somewhere else. Having achieved the growth of pure and sodium modified copper tartrate single crystals and established their basic characteristics, it is thought worthwhile to have an understanding of their electrical properties and their modification on replacement of some copper ions in the lattice of copper tartrate by sodium ions. The electrical properties are studied by measuring electrical conductivity in the temperature range from 80 to 300 K. The study reveals that conductivity is a function temperature in these crystals. Moreover both pure and modified copper tatrate single crystal are semiconducting but the conductivity of pure modified copper tatrate single crystal is more than that of pure a copper tatrate single crystal. The results have been explained in terms variable range hopping model.