12 - Growth and Characterization of Technologically Important Oxide Single Crystals

Abstract

This chapter reviews recent advances made in growth and characterization of nearly perfect lithium niobate and bismuth germanate crystals. High resolution x-ray diffraction topography and diffractometry are found useful for the direct observation of lattice defects in single crystals and provide valuable feedback for improving structural perfection of crystals. The chapter discusses the essential features of Cz growth experiments employed for the preparation of mono-domain nearly perfect lithium niobate. It has been shown that the LTG Cz method can be employed to grow nearly perfect bismuth germanate crystals. Interesting results concerning direct observation and characterization of very low angle boundaries are described. A wide variety of technologically important oxide single crystals are employed as laser hosts, in nonlinear optical devices, optical wave guides and other components in optical communications, in memories, and numerous other applications. Bismuth germanate is widely used as a scintillator due to its attractive properties such as nonhygroscopic nature, high atomic number (Z), short decay time, and extremely short afterglow.