Growth and characterization of TGS and DTGS single crystals doped with Pt(II), Pt(IV) and L‐alanine

The single crystals of triglycine sulfate doped with bivalent and tetravalent Pt‐ions and with L‐alanine (LADTGS/Pt(II) and LATGS/Pt(IV)) were grown in the ferroelectric phase from low temperature solutions. Using stick seeds the full‐shaped crystals with many growth pyramids have been prepared. The growth rate along the axis c of the doped crystals is much higher than in an undoped one. Morphology, domain structure and P‐E hysteresis loops have been investigated. The effect of the dopant on the growth velocity is explained on the basis of catalytic action of supposed platinum complexes. The first series of the pyroelectric detectors have been prepared from these materials and their fundamental parameters are presented. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)