Crystal growth and optical properties of SrB4O7: a review

Authors

  • Tatyana N. Khamaganova Baikal Institute of Nature Management Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 6, Sakhyanovoy st., Ulan-Ude 670047, Buryatia, Russian Federation
  • Alexey K. Subanakov Baikal Institute of Nature Management Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 6, Sakhyanovoy st., Ulan-Ude 670047, Buryatia, Russian Federation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2026.28/13410

Keywords:

Strontium tetraborate, Polymorphism, SBO single crystals, Czochralski method, Crystal structures, Irregular domains, Wavelength conversion

Abstract

Objective: This review systematically summarizes the available literature on crystal growth methods and conditions, polymorphism, crystal structures, and optical properties of strontium tetraborate (SrB4O7) (SBO). Large bulk single crystals have been successfully grown using several techniques, including the Czochralski, Kyropoulos, micro-pulling-down (μ–PD), and top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) methods. The advantages and limitations of each approach are discussed, along with the challenges encountered during growth and strategies for their resolution. SBO crystallizes in two polymorphic modifications: a stable high-temperature α-form (orthorhombic, space group Pmn21) and a metastable low-temperature β-form (trigonal, space group Р3). During crystal growth, α-SBO single crystals tend to form irregular domain structures that give rise to quasi-phase matching (QPM), which is essential for efficient nonlinear optical frequency conversion.

Conclusions: The results of investigations into the thermal, mechanical, elastic, piezo-optical, acousto-optical, and nonlinear optical properties of SBO crystals are presented. Current developments in exploiting SBO domain structures for radiation generation across a broad spectral range are also discussed. In addition, the potential of SBO single crystals as paraelectric materials for ultra-compact microresonators is considered, particularly for wavelength conversion of coherent radiation in the deep- and vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) regions

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Author Biographies

  • Tatyana N. Khamaganova, Baikal Institute of Nature Management Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 6, Sakhyanovoy st., Ulan-Ude 670047, Buryatia, Russian Federation

    Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Laboratory of Oxide Systems, Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude, Russian Federation)

  • Alexey K. Subanakov, Baikal Institute of Nature Management Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 6, Sakhyanovoy st., Ulan-Ude 670047, Buryatia, Russian Federation

    Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Head of the Laboratory of Oxide Systems, Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude, Russian Federation)

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2026-09-22

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Vol. 28 No. 3 (2026)

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Review

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Crystal growth and optical properties of SrB4O7: a review. (2026). Kondensirovannye Sredy I Mezhfaznye Granitsy = Condensed Matter and Interphases, 28(3), 333-349. https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2026.28/13410