Orthoferrite crystal flux-growth morphology and perfection effects

Abstract

Orthoferrite single crystal growth in PbO-PbF 2 and Pb0-PbF 2-B 2O 3 fluxed melts has been studied with particular attention being given to crystal morphology and perfection. Dendritic structures and bands (striae) were observed and are discussed in terms of possible {110} and {001} crystal growth modes. Optically visible bands are associated with variations in the lead impurity but not with the silicon impurity which is constant throughout these crystals. These bands impede bubble domain motion selectively, according to the relative band and domain wall orientations, but not as seriously as grain boundaries or twins. On the basis of these considerations, the effects of bands can be minimized by selecting crystal platelets grown in a {001} mode when the net magnetization is oriented 〈001〉.