Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of a new candidate for nonlinear optical material in the IR region: Hg2BrI3

The synthesis, crystal structure, nonlinear optical (NLO) property and some other properties of a new material, Hg2BrI3, are reported. The crystal structure has been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Hg2BrI3 belongs to the HgBrI type and crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmc21 (No. 36). The compound shows a phase-matchable second harmonic generation (SHG) of about 1.2 times as strong as that of KTiOPO4 (KTP) based on the powder SHG measurement. It exhibits a wide transparency in the IR region (from 2.5 to 30 mu m), and a good thermal stability. It is believed that Hg2BrI3 is a new candidate for NLO materials in the IR region.