Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optics in a Borate Framework with 21-Ring Channels.

A new borate LiBa3 (OH)[B9 O16 ][B(OH)4 ], which combines the uniform porosity of open-frameworks with the extraordinary NLO properties of borates, has been obtained under hydrothermal conditions by using mixed lithium and barium ions as templates. The framework displays an acs-type net with large 21-ring channels. The second harmonic generation (SHG) measurement shows that it is a type I phase-matchable material with a strong SHG signal intensity about 3.1 times that of KDP (KH2 PO4 ). UV/Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance analysis indicates that the compound has a wide transparency range with the short-wavelength absorption edge below 200 nm. These characteristics reveal that the compound is a promising deep-UV nonlinear optical material.