Search

The first quaternary rare-earth oxythiogermanate Eu3GeOS4 crystallizing in the noncentrosymmetric space group Pca21 exhibits a novel 3D structure constructed from unique [EuOS6] and isolated [GeOS3] units, and NLO and ferromagnetic behaviors.

A new multifunctional material α-Ag4P2S6, which combines moderate photocurrent response and second harmonic generation coefficients, can be grown as mm-sized crystals with salt flux AgBr.

Two polar organic–inorganic metal halides (C20H20P)CuX2 (X = Cl, Br) feature rare quasi-linear [CuX2]− units and exhibit phase-matchable SHG effects, and the structure–NLO properties relationship is investigated systematically.

Zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid manganese halides have been recently synthesized and exhibited rich functional properties including fluorescence, ferroelectrics, and ferromagnetism. However, few studies on second-harmonic generation (SHG) behaviors of manganese halide crystals have been reported, presumably owing to the d-d transitions. Here, we report three manganese bromides, [TEA]

Among many issues associated with religious negotiation and intercultural ministry and mission in the history of Christianity in China, the most important issue involves the Chinese rite of offering sacrifice to ancestors. This issue has been closely connected to the process of the Sinicisation of Christianity in all Pan-Chinese societies, including the Greater China and Chinese diasporic communities worldwide. This paper first reviews key historical elements of the Chinese Rites Controversy (1645–1941) on ‘Sacrificing to Ancestors’ ( jizu), and then considers some details of the ‘Three Rites’ of ‘Reverencing Ancestors’ ( jingzu) as a historical development within the Bread of Life Christian Church (BOLCC, Ling Liang Tang) in Taipei and the Bread of Life Global Apostolic Network (BGAN) of nearly 600 local churches on all continents as of 2020. Through this case study, the paper argues that the BOLCC, an independent Christian church established in 1942 and a contemporary Sinophone-based Christian movement, could expand quickly by applying its intercultural ‘Ling Liang Rule’ to continue the successful culture-accommodating ‘Matteo Ricci Rule’ among the Pan-Chinese (Chinese descendants in China and beyond) by providing an ‘in-between space’ negotiating for Christianity and Confucianism to satisfy their believers’ ‘hybrid identity’. Through the Christianised Reverencing Ancestors Rites to hybridise the Confucian Sacrificing to Ancestors Rites, Bread of Life Sinophone Christians in many places of the world can simultaneously affirm their cultural ‘hybrid identity’ as both Christian and Sinophone through core cultural interactions between Christianity and Confucianism in filial piety ( xiao).

A novel thioborate KEu2In3B12S13 features {[In3B12S30]32–}∞ polyanionic framework built by B12S12 clusters and [In6S6]6+ 12-membered rings. Its structural chemistry, optical/magnetic properties, and theoretical calculations are studied.

Pb3SBrI3 containing multiple halogens is the first one featuring neutral [Pb3SBrI3]∞ layers when compared with others with multiple halogens that show three-dimensional frameworks.

The first-type of NCS alkali metal Ag-based thiophosphates KAg2PS4 (1) and (Na0.30K0.70)Ag2PS4 (2) exhibit large SHG responses, originating from the ordered arrangement of AgS4 and PS4 tetrahedra, and high LIDTs contributed by alkali metals.

Two new pentanary sulfides LiAgIn2GeS6 and NaAgIn2GeS6 were derived from parent Ag2In2GeS6via Li and Na partial substitution of Ag element, and their SHG efficiencies and LIDT intensities enhanced concurrently.

The first barium scandium phosphite, BaSc2(HPO3)4(H2O)2, has been systematically studied. It exhibits a 3D [Sc2(HPO3)4]2− anion framework with an SHG effect (0.94 × KDP) and phase-matching behaviour.

A “green” novel polar perovskite-derivative, [C6H5CH2N(CH2CH3)3]3Bi2Cl9, with phase-matchable SHG effects was obtained by utilizing asymmetric quaternary ammonium cation substitution.

A novel thioborate KNa0.78Eu0.27In3.80B12S12 features {[In3.80B12S12]2.6−}∞ framework built by B12S12 clusters and InSx (x = 4, 5, 6) units. Its structural chemistry is well described, and compared with known compounds containing B12Q12 cluster.

Compounds constructed by mixed anions are widely favorable for their diverse crystal structures and physical performances. Here, two lead phosphite halides, Pb

The indispensable condition for laser frequency-doubling crystal materials is that they crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric (NCS) structures. Here, ternary NCS Ba6In2S10 (1) and Ba6In2Se10 (2) (P...

Metal oxyhalides have attracted extensive attention as fascinating nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Here, two barium niobium oxyfluorides, Ba

Rare-earth (RE) chalcogenides have been extensively studied as infrared nonlinear optical (NLO) materials because of their nice integrated performances; however, very few RE chalcophosphates are involved for this topic. Here, three quaternary RE selenophosphates, KSmP

Large second-harmonic-generation (SHG) response and enhanced laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) compared with benchmark AgGaS2 (AGS), together with a simple chemical composition and exclusion of the light-sensitive Ag element, are vital for exploration of superior IR nonlinear-optical (NLO) materials beyond AGS. Herein, we report trigonal HgS as a highly promising IR NLO material. It was obtained by a facile one-pot hydrothermal reaction, and its noncentrosymmetric P3221 structure features a unique dumbbell-shaped HgS2 group and a neutral helical {[HgS]}n chain, which first served as a SHG functional motif. Its polycrystalline powder sample exhibits a phase-matchable SHG response comparable to that of AGS and a LIDT value of 1.2 × AGS. Structural analysis and theoretical calculation suggest that the {[HgS]}n chain plays an important role for excellent NLO performance. This work not only provides a strong candidate for IR NLO application but also introduces a new SHG functional motif for the design of future NLO materials.

Two chalcogenophosphates, SnPS2.86Se0.14 (1) and SnPSe3 (2), are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic noncentrosymmetric space group Pn. Their three-dimensional (3D) structures are constructed by [Sn(1)Q8] hendecahedra and [Sn(2)Q8] dodecahedra by sharing Q vertices and edges, leaving cavities for isolated [P2Q6] (Q = S/Se, Se) dimers. A second-harmonic-generation (SHG) measurement indicates that 1 is phase-matchable with a response of approximately 1.2 × AgGaS2 (AGS), which is verified by the theoretical calculation result. The powder sample of 1 exhibits a high laser-induced damage threshold of 3.9 × AGS. For comparison, the known SnPS3 (3) was also synthesized and evaluated using the same method. The chemical composition-NLO performance relationship of 1-3 is also discussed. Dipole moment calculation results suggest that [SnQ8] polyhedra make the main contribution to their excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) performance.

Metal oxyhalides are attracting extensive interest for their enchanting structures and diverse properties. Herein, a ternary antimony oxyiodide, Sb

Oxide nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals have drawn wide interest for their comprehensive physical performances including wide infrared (IR) transparency ranges, large band gaps, and good stability in open air. Here, two isostructural germanate oxides, Pb

The discovery of new types of metal sulfides is attractive because of their rich structures and diverse physical properties. Here, a novel quaternary sulfide, Ba

The development of high-power solid-state lasers is in urgent need of infrared (IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with wide band gaps and high laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs). Herein, a new compressed chalcopyrite-like IR NLO crystal (Na

International audience; Oxychalcogenides are promising candidates for the design of IR nonlinear optical materials. Here, we prepared the first oxysulfide in the polar Fresnoite mineral type, Ba2SnSSi2O7 , and show that it has rare tin square pyramids, SnO4S, with apical Sn-S bond. These units and the Si2O7 groups are corner-shared to form the SnSSi2O7 layer with their Sn-S and apical Si-O bonds pointed along the polar c axis. Second harmonic generation measurements reveal that Ba2SnSSi2O7 is an IR NLO compound. Formally, Ba2SnSSi2O7 results from the mineral Fresnoite, Ba2TiOSi2O7 , by replacing the TiO5 square pyramid with the SnO4S square pyramid. This substitution increases the apical/the equatorial bond ratio of the square pyramid, namely, Ti-Oap /Ti-Oeq = 1.66/2.00 = 0.83 in TiO5 , and Sn-S/Sn-O = 2.03/2.31 = 0.88 in SnO4S. This change has a major impact on the cleavage along the stacking polar c-axis and on the second harmonic generation response, which decreases from Ba2TiOSi2O7 to Ba2SnSSi2O7 by a factor greater than two. The atom response theory analyses based on the density functional theory calculations reveal a remarkable difference between Ba2TiOSi2O7 and Ba2SnSSi2O7 ; the second harmonic generation is positive for the Ti4+ ion of Ba2TiOSi2O7 , but negative for the Sn4+ ion of Ba2SnSSi2O7. A Tauc plot analysis for Ba2SnSSi2O7 assuming indirect and direct transitions led to the optical band gaps of 2.4 and 2.7 eV, respectively.

Inorganic metal halides play important roles in wide range of areas including fluorescence, X-ray detection, and nonlinear-optics. Herein, two new mixed alkali metal tantalum fluorides, CsKTaF

Metal chalcogenophosphates are receiving increasing interest, specifically as promising infrared nonlinear optical (NLO) candidates. Here, a rare-earth chalcogenophosphate Eu

A series of pentanary chalcogenoborates (A3X)[InB12(InQ4)3] (A = K, Rb, Cs; X = Cl, Br, I; Q = S, Se) were obtained by high-temperature solid-state reactions. These salt-inclusion chalcogenides crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6322, a type of Kleinman-forbidden noncentrosymmetric structure. Their structures feature a [InB12(InQ4)3] open framework built by InQ6 octahedra and InQ4 tetrahedra consolidated B12 cluster, which accomodates octahedral cavities for XA6 units. They are second-harmonic generation active, and their optical properties were studied experimentally and theoretically. This work can evoke more interest in chalcogenoborate-based second-order nonlinear optical materials.