Synthesis of hexagonal LaF$_{3}$: Nd$^{3+}$, Sm$^{3+}$ nanocrystals and studies of NLO properties

Hexagonal shaped LaF$_{3}$ nanocrystals (NC) doped by Nd$^{3+}$ and Sm$^{3+}$ ions were synthesized using a domestic microwave oven. The powder XRD study confirmed that the crystalline size of the particle was approximately 20 nm (JCPDS standard card (32–0483) of pure hexagonal LaF$_{3}$ crystals). The Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis indicated the size of the primary and secondary particles were between 15–20 nm. The presence of fundamental groups was verified by FTIR spectra. The synthesized nanocrystals were also studied for Non-Linear Optical (NLO) properties. The Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) efficiencies of LaF$_{3}$: Nd$^{3+}$, Sm$^{3+}$ containing rare earth elements were found to be less than that of pure Potassium Dihydroxyl Phosphate (KDP) crystals.