Unidirectional growth and characterization of L-tartaric acid single crystals

Single crystals of L-tartaric acid (LTA), an organic nonlinear optical material, have been grown using a home-built crystal growth setup (the Moovendaran–Kalyanasundar–Natarajan setup). Crystals of LTA were also grown by the slow evaporation solution technique. These single crystals were characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, and IR and UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy. In addition, measurements of Vickers microhardness, laser damage threshold value and second harmonic generation efficiency are reported. Thermal, dielectric and photoluminescence studies were also carried out.