Growth and piezoelectric characterisation of GeO₂ single crystals with quartz structure

Abstract

The first results for growth of germanium dioxide single crystals with the crquartz type structure (α-GeO₂) from refluxed hydrothermal solutions are reported. The success of this method is due to the existence of metastable α-GeO₂ in aqueous solutions at relatively low temperature and to the structural similarity between α-GeO₂ and α-SiO₂. The continuous partial evaporation of the heated solvent, vapour condensation, saturation of the condensate by nutrient α-GeO₂ and growth of α -GeO₂ single crystals on quartz seeds are considered as the successive stages of the process. Mzre homogeneous crystals of α -GeO₂ were obtained on seeds parallel to {0001}, {1120} and {1121} faces using sodium hydroxide and ammonium fluoride solutions in the range of temperature 90-130°C and at pressure equivalent to the fugacity of saturated vapor.

Piezoelectric, elastic and dielectric properties of the mentioned above crystals for the first time were studied.

Key Words:

• Germanium dioxide
• Hydrothermal growth
• Piezoelectric characterization