A solution deposition method includes: applying a liquid precursor solution to a substrate, the precursor solution including an oxide of a first metal, a hydroxide of the first metal, or a combination thereof, dissolved in an aqueous ammonia solution; evaporating the precursor solution to directly form a solid seed layer on the substrate, the seed layer including an oxide of the first metal, a hydroxide of the first metal, or a combination thereof, the seed layer being substantially free of organic compounds; and growing a bulk layer on the substrate, using the seed layer as a growth site or a nucleation site.

A solution deposition method includes: applying a liquid precursor solution to a substrate, the precursor solution including an oxide of a first metal, a hydroxide of the first metal, or a combination thereof, dissolved in an aqueous ammonia solution; evaporating the precursor solution to directly form a solid seed layer on the substrate, the seed layer including an oxide of the first metal, a hydroxide of the first metal, or a combination thereof, the seed layer being substantially free of organic compounds; and growing a bulk layer on the substrate, using the seed layer as a growth site or a nucleation site.

Crystalline NH.sub.4Be.sub.2BO.sub.3F.sub.2 or Be.sub.2BO.sub.3F (abbreviated as BBF) has nonlinear optical effect, is not deliquescent in the air, is chemically stable. They can be used in a variety of nonlinear optical fields and will pioneer the nonlinear optical applications in the deep UV band.

Crystalline NH.sub.4Be.sub.2BO.sub.3F.sub.2 or Be.sub.2BO.sub.3F (abbreviated as BBF) has nonlinear optical effect, is not deliquescent in the air, is chemically stable. They can be used in a variety of nonlinear optical fields and will pioneer the nonlinear optical applications in the deep UV band.

Single, acentric, hexagonal, beryllium borate crystals having the formula Sr.sub.2Be.sub.2B.sub.2O.sub.7 with a new structural type with space group of P(-)6 and a unit cell of unit cell a=b=4.6709(7) , c=3.8410(7) and trigonal borate groups within the unit cell lattice whereby the trigonal groups are fully ordered and directly lined up above each other with no rotation of the stacking groups relative to each other. These crystals can be formed according to a hydrothermal formation process with a size sufficient for use in a variety of laser and nonlinear optical applications.

Single, acentric, hexagonal, beryllium borate crystals having the formula Sr.sub.2Be.sub.2B.sub.2O.sub.7 with a new structural type with space group of P(-)6 and a unit cell of unit cell a=b=4.6709(7) , c=3.8410(7) and trigonal borate groups within the unit cell lattice whereby the trigonal groups are fully ordered and directly lined up above each other with no rotation of the stacking groups relative to each other. These crystals can be formed according to a hydrothermal formation process with a size sufficient for use in a variety of laser and nonlinear optical applications.

A polycrystalline dielectric thin film and a capacitor element have a large relative dielectric constant. The polycrystalline dielectric thin film has a perovskite oxynitride as a principal component. The perovskite oxynitride is represented by compositional formula A.sub.a1B.sub.b1O.sub.oN.sub.n (a1+b1+o+n=5), and the a-axis length of the crystal lattice of the perovskite oxynitride is larger than a theoretical value.

A polycrystalline dielectric thin film and a capacitor element have a large relative dielectric constant. The polycrystalline dielectric thin film has a perovskite oxynitride as a principal component. The perovskite oxynitride is represented by compositional formula A.sub.a1B.sub.b1O.sub.oN.sub.n (a1+b1+o+n=5), and the a-axis length of the crystal lattice of the perovskite oxynitride is larger than a theoretical value.

Disclosed is a nonlinear optical (NLO) material for use in deep-UV applications, and methods of fabrication thereof. The NLO is fabricated from a plurality of components according to the formula A.sub.qB.sub.yC.sub.z and a crystallographic non-centrosymmetric (NCS) structure. The NLO material may be fabricated as a polycrystalline or a single crystal material. In an embodiment, the material may be according to a formula Ba.sub.3ZnB.sub.5PO.sub.14.

Disclosed is a nonlinear optical (NLO) material for use in deep-UV applications, and methods of fabrication thereof. The NLO is fabricated from a plurality of components according to the formula A.sub.qB.sub.yC.sub.z and a crystallographic non-centrosymmetric (NCS) structure. The NLO material may be fabricated as a polycrystalline or a single crystal material. In an embodiment, the material may be according to a formula Ba.sub.3ZnB.sub.5PO.sub.14.