Phase Matchability Transformation in the Infrared Nonlinear Optical Materials with Diamond-Like Frameworks

Phase matchability is a prerequisite for infrared nonlinear optical (IR-NLO) crystals. Hitherto, it is relatively infrequent to design and synthesize phase-matching (PM) materials from known non-phase-matching (NPM) materials. This work reports a series of PM chalcogenides AM(3)(II)Ga(5)S(11) (A = K, Rb, Cs; M-II = Cd, Mn) with diamond-like frameworks (DLFs), which are derived from the known NPM AM(4)(II)Ga(5)S(12) in the A(2)S-(MS)-S-II-Ga2S3 pseudoternary diagram. Notably, ACd(3)Ga(5)S(11) and AMn(3)Ga(5)S(11) are isomeric and exhibit different DLFs and remarkable overall properties. Especially, KCd3Ga5S11 achieves the coexistence of wide band gap (E-g = 3.25 eV), strong second-harmonic-generation (SHG) response (1.7 x benchmark AgGaS2) and ultrahigh laser-induced damage threshold (36.5 x benchmark AgGaS2), which is the best IR-NLO chalcogenides with DLF known to date. Theoretical calculations reveal that their superior performance and PM behavior are benefited from the anisotropic structural characteristics, i.e., DLFs. This work demonstrates the feasibility of designing PM IR-NLO materials via the partial removal of asymmetric building blocks in DLF structures of NPM materials that is accessible and controllable by chemistry means.

Automated summary

This study presents a new type of phase-matching chalcogenides with diamond-like frameworks, showing superior properties in infrared nonlinear optical applications. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of designing high-performance IR-NLO materials by manipulating the asymmetric building blocks in NPM materials.