Growth and Characterization of an Amino Acid Nonlinear Optical Single Crystal:D-Alanine

There are a variety of applications of nonlinear optical materials whose demand never ceases. One such type of nonlinear optical crystal D – Alanine was grown by slow evaporation technique from aqueous solution of L-Alanine and picric acid. The grown crystal was subjected to Single crystal XRD for its structural parameters and lattice confirmation. The title compound was further investigated by CHN analysis and evaluated. This paper encompasses other characterization studies like SHG studies, UV visible spectroscopy,TG –DTA (Thermal Analysis), conductivity studies and hardness determination. Further the optical nonlinearities of D- Alanine have been investigated by Z-scan technique with He - Ne laser at 532 nm. Thus optical characterization of D- Alanine reveals its suitability for various industrial applications. The SEM images confirm the well –formed surfaces of the grown crystal.