Beginner’s Guide to Flux Crystal Growth (eBook)

1 Introduction 1.1 Single crystals in solid-state research 1.1.1 What is a single crystal? 1.1.2 Appropriate size of crystals for solid-state research 1.1.3 Types of crystals frequently studied in solid-state physics 1.1.4 Single crystals in other fields of studies 1.2 Overview of flux growth 1.3 Other methods of crystal growth 1.3.1 Melt growth techniques 1.3.2 Solution growth techniques 1.3.3 Vapor growth techniques 1.3.4 Comparison of different methods 1.4 Literature on flux growth References 2 Mechanisms of crystal growth from fluxed solution 2.1 Crystal morphology 2.2 Mechanisms of flux crystal growth 2.2.1 Solubility and supersaturation 2.2.2 Nucleation 2.2.3 Layer-by-layer growth 2.2.4 Spiral growth 2.2.5 Hopper growth and dendritic growth 2.2.6 Summary of growth mechanisms 2.3 Imperfections in crystals References 3 Phase diagrams for flux growth 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Simple eutectic system 3.3 Examples of eutectic systems 3.4 Incongruently melting compounds 3.5 Solid solutions 3.6 Oxygen partial pressure and oxidation state 3.7 Determination of phase diagrams 3.7.1 Quenching method 3.7.2 Solubility determination 3.7.3 Hot-stage microscopy 3.7.4 Differential thermal analysis References 4 Choosing a flux 4.1 Properties of an ideal flux 4.2 Typical fluxes for oxide growth 4.2.1 Lead- and bismuth-based polar compounds 4.2.2 Network-forming borates 4.2.3 Complex-forming vanadates, molybdates, and tungstates 4.2.4 Simple ionic alkali halides and carbonates 4.2.5 Oxidizing alkali hydroxides 4.2.6 Other considerations 4.3 Fluxes for intermetallic compounds References 5 Equipment and experimental procedures 5.1 Furnaces 5.1.1 Vertical tube furnace 5.1.2 Box furnace 5.1.3 Heating elements 5.1.4 Summary of furnaces 5.2 Crucibles 5.2.1 Platinum 5.2.2 Silica glass 5.2.3 Alumina 5.2.4 Tantalum 5.3 Starting materials 5.3.1 Chemicals used in oxide growth 5.3.2 Metals 5.4 Growth of oxide crystals in air 5.4.1 Preparation 5.4.2 Growth 5.4.3 Removal of crystals 5.4.4 Cleaning of platinum crucibles 5.5 Flux growth in a protective atmosphere 5.5.1 Use of a crucible inside silica glass tube 5.6 Some notes on handling the grown crystals References 6 Examples of flux-grown crystals 6.1 BaFe2As2 6.2 CdCr2Se4 6.3 CuGeO3 6.4 Dy2Ti2O7 6.5 KNiF3 6.6 KTiOPO4 6.7 La0.7Pb0.3MnO3 6.8 MgSiO3 6.9 PbZn1/3Nb2/3O3 6.10 SmB6 6.11 TbMn2O5 6.12 VO2 References Appendix: Flux-grown crystals published in Journal of Crystal Growth since 1975 Index