Journal of Applied Crystallography

Volume 40, Part 5 (October 2007)

research papers

J. Appl. Cryst. (2007). 40, 919-923 [ doi:10.1107/S0021889807033663 ]

Relationship between structure and optical properties of lithium triborate

J. Etxebarria, J. Ortega and C. L. Folcia

Abstract: Measurements of the optical rotation of LiB₃O₅ have been carried out using a high-accuracy universal polarimeter in the temperature range 298-503 K. The results have been analyzed within the framework of a point-dipole model for the optical rotation. Though the magnitude of the rotation is very small, its sign has been clearly determined and linked to the crystallographic structure. A slight modification of the point-dipole model also permits an explanation of the values of the second-order susceptibility coefficients for second-harmonic generation.

Keywords: non-linear optical properties; optical activity; absolute configuration; high-accuracy universal polarimeter.