Properties of a New Nonlinear Optical Crystal CdZn₂B₂O₆

Cadmium dizinc diborate (CdZn₂B₂O₆) single crystals have been grown for the first time. The crystal structure of CdZn₂B₂O₆ is the same as that of the Cd₃Zn₃B₄O₁₂. The x-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectra, differential scanning calorimetry analysis and density indicate that the physical and chemical properties of both crystals are very similar. Especially, the nonlinear optical coefficients of CdZn₂B₂O₆ and Cd₃Zn₃B₄O₁₂ crystals are 2.6 and 2.4 times as large as that of KH₂PO₄ crystal respectively. Chemical etching
experiments indicated that these crystals are very stable in neutral solution and not hygroscopic in air at room temperature.