Growth and characterization of calcium doped barium tartrate crystal from silica gel

In the present investigation, single crystals of Barium calcium tartrate were grown by gel technique using diffusion method. The growth conditions were optimized by varying the parameters such as concentration of the gel, setting time of the gel and concentration of the reactance. The test tubes were used as crystallization vessels while silica gel as a growth media. The grown crystals were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Ultra-Violet visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence and FTIR analysis. From Scanning electron microscopy, Barium calcium tartrate crystal revealed a regular morphology.PL shows a ultra violet emission at 360nm, 385nm, Blue-green emission at 495 nm and green emission at 530nm.The grown crystals have an excellent transparency in the region above the cut of wavelength, which is an essential parameter for optical applications.