Crystal Growth of Ca3(Li,Nb,Ga)5O12 Garnets from Melt

Abstract

AbstractSingle crystals of Ca3(Li,Nb,Ga)5O12 garnets have been grown from stoichiometric melts by micro-pulling down and Czochralski methods using Pt crucibles. It was found that the mixture of oxides with atomic ratio Ca : Li : Nb : Ga = 3 : 0.275 : 1.775 : 2.95 correspond to the garnet composition which melts congruenlly at about 1450°C. Solid state reaction data of the compounds related with this material are also reported. Lattice parameter of all Ca3(Li,Nb,Ga)5O12 crystals grown was about 1.254 nm. Transparent and bubble-free crystals of Ca3LixNb1.5+xGa(3.5+x)Ga(3.5−2x)O12 (x = 0.25 and 0.275) were grown by Czochralski technique in air. An optical transmission spectrum of the crystals was studied. No absorption was detected in 400–1200 nm wavelength range.