Structural reasons for the nonlinear optical properties of KTP family single crystals

Abstract

A brief review focuses on studies into the structural reasons for the nonlinear optical properties of crystals of the potassium titanyl phosphate family, performed at the Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography. Accurate X-ray diffraction data are discussed, providing evidence that the optical susceptibility of crystals is related not only to the alternation of long and short Ti-O bonds in the chains of TiO6 octahedra, but to the geometry of tetrahedral anions and the alkaline cation arrangement in the structure channels, as well. The contribution of each of the three structural components depends on the crystal composition.