Growth of lithium-aluminum single crystal by the floating zone technique

Abstract

Single crystals of β-LiAl of stoichiometric composition have been synthesized by a floating zone technique using an infrared-radiation imaging furnace. Owing to the formation of solid skins of passivation on the molten zone as well as on the feed rod and on the single crystal, selective evaporation of Li is suppressed so that a shift of the composition could be avoided. Contaminants, B and Mg, which are detectable by IMA in the raw polycrystalline materials are effectively eliminated by the zone path.