Functional Inorganic Materials - New Ultraviolet and Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials

非技术摘要新材料-化合物-处于先进技术的核心，如燃料电池、蓝光DVD播放机、智能手机和激光。挑战不仅在于发现一种新材料，还在于理解其相关的技术特性。如果要实现技术进步--如果美国要保持在科学领域的领先地位，这种进步是至关重要的--对新材料的发现和理解至关重要。这个基础研究项目由材料研究部固体和材料化学计划支持，涉及用于先进技术的新材料的设计、发现和晶体生长。具体地说，研究小组专注于激光应用的新材料。其目的是发现能够实现激光技术的材料，即在紫外线和深紫外线波长--低于300纳米--的相干辐射。先进的技术和设备迫切需要在这些波长范围内进行相干辐射，而所提出的材料将对这些技术产生积极影响。最后，由于休斯顿大学被指定为拉美裔服务机构(HSI)，STEM将特别重视招募未被充分代表的基团到研究小组。技术摘要这项研究项目由材料研究部固体和材料化学计划支持，涉及用于紫外线(UV)和深紫外线(DUV)非线性光学(NLO)应用的新型功能无机材料-混合碱和碱土硼氧氟化物以及混合碱和碱土金属硝酸盐的设计、合成、结构、功能性质表征和结构-性质关系。无机固态化学中一个持续不断的挑战是新材料的“合理设计”--设计和合成精确的化学计量比，这些化学计量比将显示出特定的、理想的、技术上重要的特性。迎接这一挑战不仅需要合成专业知识，还需要对所需物理性能的各种键合和晶体化学要求有深入的了解。为了进一步了解这一点，休斯顿大学的研究团队不仅合成了新材料，还开发了结构与性质的关系。除了体相合成，还计划生长大的厘米尺寸的晶体。为了深入研究和了解功能性质，大单晶是至关重要的。晶体生长可以采用顶部籽晶溶液生长的方法。材料的结构由X射线衍射(粉末和单晶)表征，物理性能测量将包括热重分析、差示扫描量热法和二次谐波产生测量。通过这种全面的方法--合成、晶体生长、表征和结构-财产关系--研究团队旨在深刻地推动该领域的发展。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-Technical AbstractNew materials - chemical compounds - are at the core of advanced technologies, such as fuel cells, blue-ray DVD players, smart phones, and lasers. The challenge lies in not only discovering a new material, but also understanding its technologically relevant properties. If advancements in technology are to occur - and such advancements are critical if the United States is to remain the leader in science - the discovery and understanding of new materials are critical. This fundamental research project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program in the Division of Materials Research, involves the design, discovery, and crystal growth of new materials for advanced technologies. Specifically, the research team is focused on new materials for laser applications. The aim is to discover materials that enable lasing technologies, i.e. coherent radiation, in the ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet wavelengths - below 300 nanometers. Coherent radiation in these wavelength ranges is critically needed for advanced technologies and devices, and the proposed materials will positively impact these technologies. Finally, there will be a specific emphasis on recruiting underrepresented groups in STEM to the research group as the University of Houston is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).Technical AbstractThis research project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program in the Division of Materials Research, involves the design, synthesis, structure, functional property characterization, and structure-property relationships of new functional inorganic materials - mixed alkali and alkaline earth borate oxyfluorides and mixed alkali and alkaline-earth metal nitrates - for ultraviolet (UV) and deep-ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. An ongoing challenge in inorganic solid-state chemistry is the ‘rational design’ of new materials - to design and synthesize precise stoichiometries that will exhibit specific, and ideally, technologically important properties. Meeting this challenge not only requires synthetic expertise, but also a deep understanding of the various bonding and crystal chemistry requirements for the desired physical property. To further this understanding, the research team at the University of Houston not only synthesizes new materials, but also develops structure-property relationships. In addition to bulk phase synthesis, the growth of large, centimeter size, crystals is planned. Large single crystals are crucial in order to thoroughly investigate and understand the functional properties. Top-seeded solution growth methods can be employed for the crystal growth. The materials are characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction - powder and single crystal - and physical property measurements will include, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and second-harmonic generation measurements. Through this holistic approach - synthesis, crystal growth, characterization, and structure-property relationships - the research team aims to profoundly advance the field.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.