Single crystal growth of Ba2Ni(PO4)2 by using the optical floating-zone method

Abstract

We report a study on the crystal growth of a frustrated antiferromagnet Ba2Ni(PO4)2 by means of optical floating-zone method. Single crystals of Ba2Ni(PO4)2 were obtained by different growth conditions. It is found that the best crystallization was obtained in pure Ar atmosphere under normal pressure and using slow growth speed of 0.6 mm/h. The X-ray diffraction data and Laue diffraction patterns demonstrate the good crystallinity of the crystals. The physical properties were characterized by magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements.