Effect of incorporation of titanium dioxide nanocrystals on bulk properties of KDP crystals

Abstract The impact of titanium dioxide (anatase) nanocrystals on growth process, optical and structural properties of KDP single crystal was studied. As-grown crystals were characterized by High Resolution Three-crystal X-ray Diffractometer, optical diagnostics of elastic scattering, cone-shaped interference method, and spatial profile analysis method. In the composite system KDP:TiO 2 the effect of giant nonlinear optical response of anatase nanoparticles was revealed, in particular in the intensity range up to 20 MW/cm 2 the change of sign of the nonlinear refraction index was found. These results can be explained by the resonance excitation of defective states on TiO 2 nanoparticle surface.