The flux growth of single crystals of rare earth perovskites (orthoferrites, orthochromites and aluminates)

Abstract

Rare earth orthoferrite crystals RFeO 3 (R = La to Yb and Y), up to 1 cm edge, were grown by slow cooling in PbO-PbF 2-B 2O 3 flux. The isothermal evaporation method was used to grow the rare earth orthochromites RCrO 3 (R = La to Yb) and lanthanum aluminate crystals doped with more than 0.1% Cr 3+; in all cases 5 mm edge crystals were obtained. The rare earth aluminates (R = Gd, Tb, Dy) were prepared as transparent untwinned crystals several mm. on edge. Different fluxes and growth techniques were required for each of these.