Single-Crystal Synthesis

Abstract

Growing single crystals of 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides is often difficult, as they tend to form incongruently, as well as having high vapor pressure and high melting points. Two crystal growth techniques are commonly used for transition metal oxides—flux and floating-zone techniques; each has advantages and disadvantages. An established capability in both techniques makes it possible to grow single crystals of almost all stable materials. Some basic aspects of both techniques are discussed, and a few general remarks on crystal growth of 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides are presented. Crystal structures of most 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides are inherently distorted. An innovative “field-altering” technique is under development, in which an applied magnetic field aligns magnetic moments and, through strong spin-orbit interactions and magnetoelastic coupling, alters crystal structures at high temperatures. Preliminary results show that a field-altering technology is highly effective for resolving physical properties of spin-orbit-coupled oxides.