Single crystal EPR and optical absorption studies of Cu2+ ion in L-arginine sulphophosphate monohydrate--a nonlinear optical crystal.

The EPR spectra of Cu2+ ion in L-arginine sulphophosphate monohydrate (LASP), a nonlinear optical material (NLO) have been studied at room temperature. Two magnetically inequivalent interstitial Cu2+ sites in the lattice were identified. The principal values of g- and A-tensors indicate that the symmetry of the electrostatic field around the Cu2+ ion is rhombic. Bonding parameters have been evaluated and the ground state wave function of Cu2+ ion is constructed. The ground state is found to be an admixure of x2 - y2 and 3z2 - r2 orbitals. By correlating EPR and optical absorption spectra the crystal field parameters have been evaluated.