The use of ZnGeP2 in nonlinear optical applications

The use of ZnGeP2 in nonlinear optical applications has been limited in the past due to an extrinsic absorption in the near infrared. Defect studies of ZnGeP2 indicate that the extrinsic absorption is due to nonstoichiometry (as a result of high volatility of some components at the temperatures required for melt growth) and/or order-disorder (resulting from growing crystals in the high temperature phase and cooling to the room temperature phase). It may be possible to reduce both of these problems by growing crystals at lower temperatures (below the phase transition temperature). As such, it is the objective of this proposed effort to demonstrate the feasibility of crystal growth of ZnGeP2 using the high-temperature solution (HTS) technique.