Beginner's Guide to Flux Crystal Growth

ISBN-13: 9784431565864 / Angielski / Miękka / 2017 / 130 str.

Makoto Tachibana

Opis

This book introduces the principles and techniques of crystal growth by the flux method, which is arguably the most useful way to obtain millimeter- to centimeter-sized single crystals for physical research.

Spis treści

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

Blurb

This book introduces the principles and techniques of crystal growth by the flux method, which is arguably the most useful way to obtain millimeter- to centimeter-sized single crystals for physical research. As it is possible to find an appropriate solvent (“flux”) for nearly all inorganic materials, the flux method can be applied to the growth of many crystals ranging from transition metal oxides to intermetallic compounds. Both important principles and experimental procedures are described in a clear and accessible manner. Practical advice on various aspects of the experiment, which is not readily available in the literature, will assist the beginning graduate students in setting up the lab and conducting successful crystal growth. The mechanisms of crystal growth at an elementary level are also provided to better understand the techniques and to help in assessing the quality of the crystals. The book also contains many photographs of beautiful crystals with important physical properties of current interest, such as high-temperature superconductors, strongly correlated electronic systems, topological insulators, relaxor ferroelectrics, low-dimensional quantum magnets, non-linear optical materials, and multiferroics.