Shaped Crystals: Growth by Micro-Pulling-Down Technique [Paperback]

This volume offers an overview of the growth of shaped crystals (oxides, fluorides, etc.) by the micro-pulling-down technique. Both melt and solution (flux) growth are considered. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed in detail and compared with related crystal-growth processes. The authors attempt to give a practical introduction to this technique, thereby also explaining how its application can help to solve problems commonly encountered in other melt-growth methods.

to Micro-Pulling-Down Method.- Micro-Pulling-Down (?-PD) and Related Growth Methods.- Basics of the ?-PD Method.- Equipment Configuration.- Growth Phenomena and Crystal Chemistry.- Modification and Evolution of ?-PD Method.- Flux Growth of Miniature Bulk Crystals by the ?-PD Method.- Mixed Crystals: ?-PD vs. Czochralski Method.- Isothermal Flux Evaporation Diameter Control.- Eutectic Fibers with Self-Organized Structures.- Growth and Characterization of Oxide ?-PD Crystals I: Scintillation and Laser Materials.- Scintillating Bulk Oxide Crystals.- Scintillating Crystals: Ce3+:YAlO3 and Yb3+:Lu3Al5O12.- YAG:Nd3+: ?-PD and Czochralski Growth and Properties.- High-Melting Rare-Earth Sesquioxides: Y2O3, Lu2O3, and Sc2O3.- MgAl2O4 Spinel Laser Crystals: Pure and Ti-, Mn-, or Ni-Doped.- Growth and Characterization of Oxide ?-PD Crystals II: Assorted Materials.- K3Li2Nb5O15 Fiber and Plate Crystals.- Piezoelectric Langasite-Type Crystals.- Shaped Sapphire: Rods, Tubes, and Plates.- Doped LiNbO3 Crystals.- Growth of Olivine and W?stite Crystals.- Growth and Characterization of Non-Oxide ?-PD Crystals.- Silicon Fiber Crystals.- LiF, LiYF4, and Nd- and Er-Doped LiYF4 Fluoride Fibers.- Binary Fluorides: (Gd,Y)F3 and K(Y,Lu)3F10.- Shaped Fluorides.- Metal Alloy Fibers.

Tsuguo Fukuda: PhD from the University of Tokyo (Japan); professional experience in materials science and crystal growth from melt and flux: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co. (Toshiba Corporation), Professolƒ6