Effect of deuterium content on the structural, optical, and thermal properties of DKDP crystals: a systematic analysis

Abstract

Deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals with different deuterium contents have a wide range of applications, such as frequency conversion in high power lasers, electro-optic modulation, and Q-switching crystals for Pockels cells. However, there is a lack of systematic research on the effect of deuterium content on the fundamental structure and properties of these DKDP crystals. To this end, in this study, a series of DKDP crystals with different deuterium contents have been grown using the “point-seed” rapid growth method, and the structure and properties of the crystals have been characterized. The results indicate that as the deuterium content increases, the cell parameter along the a(b)-axis direction gradually increases, and the transmittance gradually increases in the infrared range. A small amount of doping (low H or D ratio) reduces the structural integrity of the crystal, and the crystals at intermediate deuterium concentrations have better crystallinity. The thermal properties of the crystals do no change significantly with the variation in the deuterium content. Overall, these findings can serve as a useful reference for boosting the application of DKDP crystals with various deuterium contents.