Principles of crystal growth of intermetallic and oxide compounds from molten solutions

Abstract

We present a tutorial on the principles of crystal growth of intermetallic and oxide compounds from molten solutions, with an emphasis on the fundamental principles governing the underlying phase equilibria and phase diagrams of multicomponent systems.

Keywords:

• crystal growth
• intermetallic
• oxide
• phase equilibria
• phase diagram
• molten solution

Acknowledgments

The majority of the examples drawn upon in this article are based on work conducted by past and present students and post-docs at Stanford University, including J. G. Analytis, J. H. Chu, A.S. Erickson, P. Giraldo-Gallo, H. H. Kuo, H. O. Lee, Y. Matsushita, S. C. Riggs, N. Ru, S. E. Sebastian, E. C. Samulon, M. C. Shapiro and K. Y. Shin, for whose spirited dedication IRF is deeply grateful. Two of the examples, R₉Mg₃₄Zn₅₇ and Yb₁₄MnSb₁₁, date back to formative years spent at the Ames Laboratory, supported by the Department of Energy. IRF particularly thanks P. C. Canfield and coworkers for a delightful ongoing interaction begun at that time. The authors also thank T. H. Geballe, H. H. Kuo, D. Mandrus, S. Risbud, & J. Yan for critical reading of the manuscript and helpful suggestions. Work on R₂Te_4+n , Bi₂Se₃, Bi₂Te₃, Bi₂Ir₂O₇ and BaFe₂As₂ was supported by the Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under contract DE-AC02-76SF00515. Work on CeCoIn₅, R₁₀Mg₄₀Cd₅₀, BaCuSi₂O₆ and Ba₃Mn₂O₈ was supported by the National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research, under grants DMR-0134613 and 0705087.