A_xCe₉(IO₃)₃₆ (A = K, La): the effects of a change in the intermediate valence on the second-harmonic generation response

Two new isostructural non-centrosymmetric cerium iodates K_xCe₉(IO₃)₃₆ (x ≈ 3) and La_xCe₉(IO₃)₃₆ (x ≈ 0.3) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and systematically characterized. They are intermediate valence compounds with the same band gap, showing similar microscopic net dipole moments per unit volume, but different macroscopic second-harmonic generation (SHG) responses under 1064 nm laser irradiation. This research gives a new view for understanding the effects of electronic structure on the SHG response.