Growth of large methyl-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-aminopropanoate: 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline crystals for nonlinear optical applications

Abstract Large single crystals (8 × 8 × 80 mm 3 ) of mixed methyl-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-amino-propanoate(MAP): 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline(MNA) have been grown by a novel solution crystal growth technique. In this technique, the seed crystal is pulled upward from its growth solution at a controlled rate along with a decrease in the solution temperature to create a desired supersaturation. Information about the morphology-solvent relationship of spontaneously nucleated crystals is also given. The grown crystal is of high optical quality with appropriate size for fabrication of optical devices.