Exploration of new UV nonlinear optical materials in the sodium–zinc fluoride carbonate system with the discovery of a new regulation mechanism for the arrangement of [CO3]2− groups

Abstract

Two new sodium–zinc carbonates, NaZnCO₃F and Na₄Zn(CO₃)₃, were designed and synthesized. As a new AMCO₃F (A = alkali metal; M = divalent metal) type crystal, the moderate SHG effect of 2.75 × KDP and large birefringence (Δn = 0.171 at 1064 nm) of NaZnCO₃F indicate its UV NLO applications. The centrosymmetric Na₄Zn(CO₃)₃ could be used as a UV birefringence material. Remarkably, a new rotation regulation mechanism was found with the synthesis of NaZnCO₃F, which improved the previous theory proposed for the ATCO₃F (A = K, Rb; T = Zn, Cd) and will provide more accurate guidance for the synthesis of other new members with rotating layers in the AMCO₃F family.