Linear and nonlinear optical properties of organic crystals: MBANP and itsderivatives

In addition to possessing strong optical nonlinearity, the (-)-2-(alpha-met hylbenzylamino)-5-nitropyridine (MBANP) crystal has been shown to have unus ual linear optical properties. Two methyl derivatives of MBANP have now bee n synthesized and grown as large single crystals; their refractive indices have been measured as a function of frequency and second-harmonic generatio n, including the determination of the phase matching loci has been investig ated. Data is also available on the racemic form of crystalline MBANP. The properties of this family of crystals have been reviewed and an attempt is made to relate the experimental responses of the crystals to their molecula r structure and the calculated properties of the molecules.