New, complex group 13 borates: Synthesis, structures, and properties

The results presented in this dissertation encompass synthesis, crystal structures, solid solutions, and two types of optical materials--luminescent hosts and nonlinear optical crystals. Several new alkali and alkaline-earth metal group 13 borates have been synthesized by using high-temperature techniques. Products have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods and luminescence measurements. The anionic-group theory with symbolic addition has been used to predict the second-order nonlinear susceptibility coefficients of the noncentrosymmetric materials. Following the introductory chapter, results are presented in Chapter 2 on the synthesis, structure, and Eu{dollar}sp{lcub}2+{rcub}{dollar} luminescence of SrAlBO{dollar}sb4.{dollar} The structural characteristics and optical properties have been especially important for development of a simple model relating Eu{dollar}sp{lcub}2+{rcub}{dollar} emission color and O coordination environments.; The synthesis and study of the structurally related materials {dollar}rm MAIsb2(BOsb3)sb2O(M=Ca, Sr, Ba){dollar} and {dollar}rm Nasb2Alsb2(BOsb3)sb2O{dollar} are considered in Chapters 3-6. The materials provide a rich chemistry for examination of nonlinear optical properties, luminescence, solid-solution behavior, and negative thermal expansion.; The structure and intrinsic luminescence of the pyroborate oxide {dollar}rm SrGasb2(Bsb2Osb5)Osb2{dollar} are described in Chapter 7. In Chapter 8, the structure of two new lithium aluminum borates, Li{dollar}sb2{dollar}Al(BO{dollar}sb3{dollar})O and LiAlB{dollar}sb2{dollar}O{dollar}sb5,{dollar} are described. The latter represents the first example of the condensation of AlB{dollar}sb2{dollar}O{dollar}sb7{dollar} rings.