Linear-Nonlinear Optical and Quantum Chemical Studies on Quinolinium 4-Aminobenzoate: A Third Order Non-Linear Optical Material for Optoelectronic Applications

Good quality single crystals of a non-linear optical (NLO) material, quinolinium 4-aminobenzoate (ABAQ), are grown by employing solution growth technique. The crystal structure is confirmed via single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Grown crystals of the ABAQ compound are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, thermal analysis, and mechanical studies. Ultraviolet–vis–near infrared (UV–vis–NIR) and photoluminescence spectra reflect the optical transmission range of the obtained compound. Dielectric studies and laser damage threshold measurement are carried out to verify the non-linear activity and surface resistance of the grown crystal. From the Kurtz Perry powder technique, the second harmonic generation efficiency of the ABAQ compound is estimated to be 90% that of the standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Z-Scan technique is performed to investigate the non-linear behavior of ABAQ crystal. The suitability of ABAQ material for optical limiting and switching applications is also verified. Computational analysis performed upon the stable geometry of ABAQ molecule using density functional theory strongly supports the experimental findings with a significant chemical background. The non-linear behavior of the title compound is determined by investigating various non-linear optical (NLO) parameters of electric dipole moment, polarizability, and hyperpolarizability. Based on these inferences, the ABAQ material can be declared as a promising material for optical limiting and switching applications in optoelectronics regime.