Optical second-harmonic generation in benzophenone

Optical second-harmonic generation is one of the methods used to achieve intense coherent blue light with a good optical beam quality. The crystal structure of benzophenone and optical polarizability of the crystal are discussed. Measurements of the optical absorption in benzophenone show a region of excellent transparency. The refractive indices were measured using the prism methods. Benzophenone could be utilized for second harmonic generation at fundamental wavelengths with tensor elements.