Multifaceted Characterization of Diglycine Picrate (DGP) Single Crystals: Exploring Growth, Mechanical, Optical, Thermal, Electrical, and Laser Damage Threshold Properties for Advanced Nonlinear Optical Applications

A pure Diglycine picrate (DGP) single crystal was successfully grown using the slow evaporation solution technique from a 2:1 molar mixture of glycine and picric acid dissolved in distilled water. The crystal growth process yielded high-quality crystals suitable for detailed analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to determine the crystal structure and unit cell parameters, confirming the monoclinic system. Powder XRD analysis further verified the phase purity and crystallinity of the grown crystal. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to identify the functional groups and confirm molecular interactions within the crystal lattice. Mechanical stability was assessed using Vickers microhardness testing, revealing adequate hardness suitable for device applications. Optical properties, including transmission and absorption behavior, were studied through UV–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy, demonstrating excellent transparency with a sharp cut-off wavelength. Thermal stability and decomposition temperature were analyzed using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), indicating stability up to 240 °C. Dielectric measurements showed frequency-dependent variations in dielectric constant and loss, reflecting low dielectric loss at higher frequencies. The laser damage threshold (LDT) was evaluated using a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm, demonstrating the crystal’s robustness under high-intensity irradiation. Third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility was investigated via the Z-scan technique, highlighting the DGP crystal’s promising nonlinear optical properties. These comprehensive studies establish the potential of DGP crystals for advanced nonlinear optical device applications.