Single crystal growth and the electronic structure of orthorhombic Tl3PbBr5: A novel material for non-linear optics

The X-ray photoelectron core-level and valence-band spectra for pristine and Ar+-ion irradiated surfaces of a Tl3PbBr5 single crystal grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method have been measured. The present X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results reveal high chemical stability of Tl3PbBr5 single crystal surface. Total and partial densities of states of constituent atoms of low-temperature (LT) orthorhombic Tl3PbBr5 phase (space group P2(1)2(1)2) have been calculated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The FP-LAPW data reveal that contributions of the Br 4p-like states dominate in the valence band of LT-Tl3PbBr5; they contribute mainly into the top and the central portion of the valence band with also significant contributions throughout the whole valence-band region. The bottom of the valence band of LT-Tl3PbBr5 is composed mainly of the Tl 6s-like states, whilst the unoccupied Pb 6p- and Tl 6p-like states dominate at the bottom of the conduction band. We have explored the crystallochemistry and origin of the chemical bonds in Tl3PbBr5 with respect to the use as mid-IR non-linear optical crystals. Comparison of the spectral dependence to the second order susceptibilities for the titled crystals is performed with respect to the 3.39 mu m illuminated crystals. Possibility of the use of Tl3PbBr5 crystals as IR operated non-linear optical crystals is discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.