Growth of MnSiO 3 and (Mn, Mg)SiO 3 crystals by the floating-zone method

Abstract

Large single crystal grains of MnSiO 3 (rhodonite) and (Mn, Mg)SiO 3 have been grown by the travelling-solvent floating-zone method, where excess MnO was used as solvent. The main imperfections are cristobalite inclusions, which appear in the molten zone as dendritic precipitates when the MnO concentration is low. Almost a uniform distribution of Mn or Mg along the growth axis is observed. Optical absorption studies show that a considerable difference exists between MnSiO 3 and Mn 2SiO 4 in the region 450–600 nm.