Infrared absorption-edges of molecular nonlinear optical crystals: an ab initio calculation

Abstract.

A theoretical model suitable for calculating infrared absorption-edges of molecular nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals is introduced from high-level calculations of molecular vibrational spectra. The model is useful for elucidating the relationship between the molecular vibration and macroscopic absorption edges on the IR side of organic nonlinear optical crystals. The first-principle ab initio method carries out the calculations of IR absorption-edges of several typical molecular NLO crystals. These molecular NLO crystals include urea, 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (MNA), meta-dinotrobenzene (MDNB), 3-methyl-4-methooxy-4^′-nitrostilbene (MMONS), and 3-hydroxyl-4^′-nitrostilbene (HMONS). The calculated results are compared with the measurements and good agreement is found between them. The experimentally unknown values of IR absorption-edges of some new synthesized crystals are predicted. The theoretical analyses of the structural origins of IR absorption cut-offs are discussed. The results are helpful for the molecular simulation and design of potential infrared molecular NLO crystals.