Abstract

We have used the shear method to prepare thin single-crystal films of a new organic second-order optical material, APDA (8-(4'- acetylphenyl)-l, 4-dioxa-8-azspiro[4, 5]de- cane). The films were prepared on quartz and oxide-coated silicon substrates. The thickness of the films is about 5 ym. Optical-microscopic studies have shown that the films have excellent optical uniformity. The film is colorless, with an absorption edge below 400 nm. In the first report¹ on this material, preparation of bulk crystals from the melt was discussed. The melt growth led to some defects that we do not observe in shear growth from solution. The material has a large second-order susceptibility that can be used in blue-light generation by the frequency doubling of diode lasers. The availability of the material in the form of thin films will allow fabrication of waveguides for phase-matched second-harmonic generation. More detailed studies of this new material are in progress.

© 1995 Optical Society of America