Behaviour of solid solutions of rare earth oxides in binary systems during crystallisation by the verneuil method

Abstract

The possibility of obtaining single crystals of solid solutions from binary mixtures of rare earth oxides by the Verneuil method is investigated. A preliminary synthesis by a ceramic method at a temperature of 1450 °C was carried out and then crystallisation by the method of melting powders of the following binary systems in an oxygen-hydrogen flame:La 2O 3(A)-Er 2O 3(C); La 2O 3(A)-Dy 2O 3(C); Nd 2O 3(A)-Yb 2O 3(C); La 2O 3(A)-Gd 2O 3(B); Nd 2O 3(A)-Sm 2O 3(B)-Yb 2O 3(C) and Gd 2O 3(B)-Yb 2O 3(C) in ratios of 10 to 90 mole % of each at intervals of 10 per cent. As a result of crystallisation a series of solid solutions of different structural types have been obtained over a wide range of component oxide ratios.