Growth and characterization of RM3(BO3)4 crystals

Crystal growth and X-ray topography of NdAl3(BO3)4

The solubility of NdAl3(BO3)4 crystals in a 69.4 wt% K2Mo3O10−18.1 wt% Nd2O3−12.5 wt% B2O3 multicomponent flux has been investigated. Their growth kinetics was determined in the temperature range of 1050–1000 °C and growth rates were found to be within 0.05–0.14 μm min−1 depending on fluxed melt supercooling (supersaturation). With increased supercooling up to 15 °C, the growth rate rises linearly, but then reaches a temperature plateau and decreases slowly because of spontaneous nucleation in the fluxed melt volume at a comparatively higher supercooling. The growth rate data were analyzed according to a simple diffusion model. NdAl3(BO3)4 single crystals (7 × 10 × 20 mm) have been obtained by high-temperature solution growth on dipped seeds.

Flux growth of NdAl3(BO3)4 single crystals from a K2Mo3O10 based system

The System Boron-Oxygen

Crystal growth of NdAl3(BO3)4 from K2O/MoO3/Nd2O3/B2O3/KF flux

Growth, morphological and structural investigations of neodymium aluminium borate crystals from different flux systems

Transparent Neodymium Aluminium Barium Borate (NABB) rods, 60 mm long and 5 mm in diameter, have been grown using a Floating Zone (FZ) apparatus. The preparation of sintered feed rods and growth conditions are presented. The vibrational spectra (IR and Raman) of the rods were compared with those of Neodymium Aluminium Borate (NAB) crystals grown from flux. The spectra confirmed the presence of BO3 network which had been identified to have more advantages when compared to the silicates. The absorption and the fluorescence spectra obtained for the sample demonstrates its efficiency for use as a laser material.

Growth and spectroscopic characterisation of Neodymium Aluminium Barium Borate using floating zone apparatus

The infrared and Raman spectra of crystalline samples of NdP5O14, NaNdP4O12 and KNdP4O12 are recorded. The spectra are analysed on the basis of vibrations of P=O, P-O, PO2 and P-O-P groups. The P4O 12 4− ion has cyclic structures both in NaNdP4O12 and KNdP4O12 crystals. It has been inferred that the P-O-P bridges are stronger in metaphosphates.

M. Thirumavalavan

Papers

Growth, morphological and structural investigations of neodymium aluminium borate crystals from different flux systems

Growth and spectroscopic characterisation of Neodymium Aluminium Barium Borate using floating zone apparatus

Infrared and raman studies on neodymium pentaphosphate and metaphosphates