Floating-zone growth and characterization of Fe 2SiO 4 single crystals

Abstract

High quality single crystals of fayalite, Fe 2SiO 4, with well-developed morphology were successfully grown by the floating-zone method under a controlled atmosphere. Crystals,∼ 7–10mm in diameter and∼ 40–60mm in length, were grown along the three major crystallographic axes. All crystals had well-developed facets or flat surfaces and were free of inclusions at the resolution of routine electron microscopy. TheFeSi atomic ratio determined by the ICP-AES technique was 1.992. The most numerous crystal defects observed were bubbles; the dislocation densities as revealed by etching were approximately5 × 10 4/cm 2.