Composition,morphology, and properties of sodium-bismuth tungstate crystals

A correlation has been revealed between the formation conditions, composition, morphology, and physicochemical properties of NaBi_{1 − x} (W_{1 + y} O₄)₂ crystals (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.16, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.11). The effect of melt deviation from stoichiometry on the decomposition rate of grown crystals under electron beam irradiation is shown by transmission electron microscopy. A nonuniform dopant distribution over the crystal boule cross-section is found by microprobe analysis. The Raman spectra of the samples depend on their crystallographic orientation.

     

Synthesis,properties, and structure of potassium titanyl phosphate single crystals doped with hafnium

Single crystals of potassium titanyl phosphate doped with hafnium are grown by spontaneous flux crystallization. Their physical properties are studied, and the structure of three KTi_{1 − x} Hf _x OPO₄ crystals (x = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.12) is determined. In the crystals studied, hafnium mostly occupies the second titanium position. The doping of KTP crystals with hafnium results in an elongation of K-O bonds in the potassium polyhedra and, as a consequence, in a considerable (by approximately 180°C) decrease in the temperature of ferroelectric phase transition. The magnitude of anomalous permittivity substantially decreases. The electrical conduction in the specimens studied decreases by approximately half an order of magnitude in the low-temperature region but remains almost unchanged in the high-temperature region. Even at minor concentrations, the presence of a hafnium additive in the specimens considerably (by 35%) enhances the intensity of the second harmonic generation of laser radiation.     

Elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb1–x(NH4)xH2AsO4 mixed crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb_1–x (NH₄)_x H₂AsO₄ mixed crystals were studied by Brillouin spectroscopy at room temperature. The measurements were made on single crystals obtained from the aqueous solution by slow evaporation. The behaviour of bulk phonons propagating in investigated crystals was studied for different polarisations of incident and scattered beam. The components of the tensors of elasto‐optical and elastic properties of the crystals studied were determined. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Physical properties of single crystals of KTiPO4, KxRb1−xTiOPO4 (x = 0.85; 0.75), KGeOPO4 and KTiOAsO4

Single crystals of the title compounds of optical quality and dimensions up to 30 × 25 × 25 mm were grown by the flux method. During the growth process the formation of twins consisting of bicrystals was observed, even in the case of single-crystalline seeds. The twinning boundaries could be detected by etching with hot KOH solutions. The following physical properties were investigated: refractive indices, dielectric constants, thermal expansion, piezoelectric, and electrooptic effects, elastic and thermoelastic constants. The crystals exhibit a quite similar behaviour. The anisotropy of all properties is quasi-tetragonal. In respect to polar properties only small differences within the mixed crystals K_xRb_1–xTiOPO₄ are found. Replacement of P by As does only slightly affect the polar properties, whereas the replacement of Ti by Ge leads to a drastic reduction of polar effects.     

Darstellung,Struktur und Eigenschaften von Nb-, Mo-, W- und Ru-dotiertem VO2

Monocrystals of doped VO₂ having the general composition V_1–xMe_xO₂ were prepared by chemical transport with TeCl₄. A summary of the morphological, structural, electric and magnetic properties is given. The habit of the doped crystals depends on the doping factor x. The boundary surfaces are {110}-prismatic and {111} pyramidal ones. At x = 0.04 the lattice constants change rapidly between the monoclinic M1-and the tetragonal R-phase. The typical change of resistance, which amounts four orders of magnitude for pure VO₂, and the transition temperature T_c decrease with increasing x.     

The influence of γ-irradiation on ferroelectric and polarization properties of TGS crystals

The experimental investigation of pyroelectric and polarization properties of TGS crystals was made. TGS crystals were grown under constant growth conditions (temperature and supersaturation of the solution) and γ-irradiated in a wide range of irradiation. The influence of γ-irradiation on the quality parameter M₂ of crystals, on the form of hysteresis loops, on size of spontaneous polarization and shifting field was ascertained.     

Shaped crystal growth of PbTe by the open tube technique

The possibility of growing shaped A^IVB^VI crystals from the vapour phase by the open tube technique was investigated on PbTe. The thermodynamic conditions to reproducible prepare several habits of PbTe crystals — whiskers, tetrahedral prisms and cubes, platelets (a), dendrites, cubic and octahedral skeletons (b) as well as their properties were examined. The crystalline habits (a) are characterized by perfectly mirror-like (100) surfaces and low dislocation densities. The type and concentration of charge carriers are mainly determined by the vapour composition within the crystallization zone and very from n = 3 × 10¹⁷ to p = 1 × 10¹⁹cm⁻³. These properties are the reason of the interest in shaped PbTe crystals for the aim of IR optoelectronic devices.     

Single Crystal Growth and Pyroelectric,Dielectric, Piezoelectric,Elastic, and Thermoelastic Properties of Orthorhombic Li2SiO3, Li2GeO3, and Na2GeO3

Single crystals of optical quality of isotypic Li₂SiO₃, Li₂GeO₃, and Na₂GeO₃, space group Ccm2₁, with diameters of ca 16 mm and lengths of ca 20 mm (Li₂SiO₃) and ca 60 mm (Li₂GeO₃ and Na₂GeO₃) have been grown from the melt using the Czochralski technique. On Li₂SiO₃, Li₂GeO₃, and Na₂GeO₃ pyroelectric coefficients and complete dielectric, piezoelectric, elastic, and thermoelastic tensor properties have been determined; the latter from the temperature dependence of resonance frequencies. All crystals investigated exhibited only a small amount of 180° twins. They all possess large pyroelectric coefficients about-five times that of tourmaline. The longitudinal piezoelectric constant d₃₃₃ is about five times larger than d₁₁₁ of alpha quartz. Qualitative measurements on Na₂SiO₃ revealed similar values of pyroelectric and piezoelectric effects. The technical application of these crystals encounters some difficulties: Li₂SiO₃ is excellently cleavable parallel (010). This face contains the polar direction [001]. Na₂GeO₃ suffers from chemical decomposition in humid atmosphere and is well cleavable too. Both happens to a much less extent in Li₂GeO₃. Na₂SiO₃ proved to be hardly suitable for any application of its polar properties due to its bad chemical stability against humid air and its excellent cleavage.     

Crystal growth of phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase,carboxypeptidase t,and thymidine phosphorylase on the international space station by the capillary counter-diffusion method

Crystals of phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, thymidine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli, carboxypeptidase T from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and its mutant forms, and crystals of complexes of these proteins with functional ligands and inhibitors were grown by the capillary counter-diffusion method in the Japanese Experimental Module Kibo on the International Space Station. The high-resolution X-ray diffraction data sets suitable for the determination of high-resolution three-dimensional structures of these proteins were collected from the grown crystals on the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility. The conditions of crystal growth for the proteins and the data-collection statistics are reported. The crystals grown in microgravity diffracted to a higher resolution than crystals of the same proteins grown on Earth.     

Acoustical properties of single crystals of mercurous halides

Velocities of propagation of elastic waves along principal crystallographic directions in Hg₂Br₂ and Hg₂J₂ single crystals were measured using the pulse and phase-pulse techniques. The values obtained were used to calculate the components of the elastic tensors c_ik and s_ik, as well as the phase and group velocities of propagation of longitudinal and transverse waves in the (100) and (001) planes, and the angular deviation of acoustic energy flux from the direction of the corresponding wave normal. Knowledge of the anisotropy of the elastic properties of Hg₂X₂ crystals and of their change with the anion (X = Cl, Br, J) leads to deeper understanding of the character of bonds in the crystal lattice and points the way to a better utilization of technical properties of the crystals. — Minimum velocity of propagation of an elastic wave falls in the case of Hg₂J₂ to a value v [100] [11 10] = 0,25 · 10⁵ cm/s, what is the lowest value known among all crystals. Maximum angular deviation of acoustic energy flux — nearly 50° — is exhibited by the quasi-longitudinal wave in Hg₂J₂ crystals. On substituting the Cl⁻ ions with Br⁻ and J⁻ ions, the anisotropy of elastic moduli C₃₃/C₁₁ increases by nearly 80%. Different mechanisms contribute to vectorial dependence of the elastic properties along different crystallographic directions.     

Effect of Flux on thermoluminescence in Flux-grown BaFCl crystals

BaFCl crystals have been grown using BaF₂ and BaCl₂ by flux technique. Glow curves, optical absorption, and TL emission spectra of x/r — irradiated crystals are studied. The results have been compared with those BaFCl crystals grown from NaF flux so as to study the effects of flux on these properties. It is found that crystals grown from BaF₂ flux are relatively purer. An additional TL glow peak at 460 K, an optical absorption band at 775 nm and TL emission band at 485 nm have been obtained in the presently grown crystals. The additional glow peak, optical absorption band have been attributed to F(¯F) aggregate centers, whereas the 485 nm TL emission band to impurity centers.     

Compositions of melts for growth of functional single crystals of complex oxides and other compounds

The melt compositions (M _c) are calculated for growing crystals with valuable physical properties. The calculation is based on the compositions of the invariant points of the liquidus curves for 33 congruently and 12 incongruently melting solid phases of 42 fusibility diagrams of binary systems. These systems include Na, Ca, Ba, Mg, and Y aluminates; Bi and Pb germanates; Li, K, Ba, and Bi borates; Ba, Fe, Sr, and Bi titanates; Li, K, Cs, Ba, Zn, Ca niobates; Li, Pb, and Gd molibdates; Pb and Nd tungstates; etc. More than 60 studies with data on the experimentally found melt compositions (M _e) for growing the noted crystals are analyzed. It is shown that the melt compositions M _c and M _e for growth of congruently and incongruently melting crystals are similar. Large-size stoichiometric crystals of high optical quality are grown using these melt compositions. Nonstoichiometric crystals of low structural quality are grown from melt compositions either corresponding to the stoichiometric ratio of the components (M _s) or similar to the compositions at invariant points (M _i). In these cases, a large difference is observed between the melt compositions M _c, M _s, and M _e.     

Internal bias field in triglycine sulphate crystals with <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-, α-alanine grown at negative temperatures

The dielectric and pyroelectric properties of triglycine sulphate (TGS) crystals with L, α-alanine impurities grown at negative temperatures have been investigated. It is shown that a lower impurity concentration (2 mol % in solution) in this temperature range leads to the formation of internal bias fields of the same order of magnitude (∼800 V/cm) as for TGS crystals grown at T ⩽ 50°C but with an L, α-alanine concentration of 20 mol % in solution.     

Crystal growth and physical properties of monoclinic L-arginine hydrochloride monohydrate,C6H14O2N4HCl · H2O,and L-arginine hydrobromide monohydrate,C6H14O2N4HBr · H2O

Single crystals of optical quality of L-arginine HCl · H₂O and L-arginine HBr · H₂O with dimensions up to 80 × 60 × 30 mm have been grown from aqueous solutions by controlled evaporation at about 310 K. The isotypic crystals exhibit a quite similar behaviour with respect to morphological, pyroelectric, dielectric, optical, thermal expansion, electrostrictive, electrooptic, elastic, thermoelastic and non-linear optical properties. A distinct anisotropy of the longitudinal elastic stiffness is observed with a maximum along the direction of the alignment of the arginine ions. Nearly in the same direction a minimum of thermal expansion, dielectric constant and index of refraction is found. The pyroelectric, electrostrictive, electrooptic and non-linear-optical effects are of only mediocre magnitude except the electrostrictive constant d₂₁₁ which surmounts the longitudinal electrostrictive constant d₁₁₁ of alpha-quartz by a factor three.     

Investigation of the structural conditionality for changes in physical properties of K<Subscript>3</Subscript>H(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystals

With the aim of elucidating the nature of anomalies in the physical properties of K₃H(SO₄)₂ crystals that arise as the temperature grows, the dielectric and optical properties of the crystals are studied, an X-ray diffraction analysis of single-crystal and polycrystalline specimens are performed, and the morphology and chemical composition are studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. As a result of the studies performed, a phase transition from the phase with the monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/c) to the phase with the trigonal symmetry (space group R $ \bar 3 $ \bar 3 m) is found in a number of K₃H(SO₄)₂ specimens at a temperature of ≈457 K, the responsibility of the dynamically disordered hydrogen-bond system for the rise of high proton conductivity in the high-temperature phases of the crystals of this family is confirmed, and data on the solid-phase reactions proceeding at high temperatures are obtained.     

Atomization Energy of the Cu,Ag, Au Crystals in Terms of the Statistical Model

The statistical atom model is used for ab initio calculations of the atom binding energy in crystals. The original calculations by the above method of atomization energy at T = 0 K of the A₁ modification crystals of I^B elements group of the Periodic System are consistent with the experimental data. The atomization energy estimates of the A₂, A₃ modifications are made.     

Characteristic temperature of deformation of crystalline materials

Using the ceoncept of a characteristic deformation temperature, t^* (knee temperature), below which the PEIERLS -NABARRO stress becomes significant, some general regularities have been determined on the influence of temperature upon structural state and mechanical properties of crystalline materials. It is demonstrated that t^* represents a natural boundary between the intervals of warm and cold deformation. At the temperature t^*, the mechanisms of deformation, fracture, and recovery of properties in annealing vary significantly in the same manner for different crystals.     

Effect of doping and heat treatment on the mechanical parameters of ZnSe<Subscript>(1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)</Subscript>Te<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> crystals grown from the melt

The mechanical properties of crystals of ZnSe_{(1 − x)}Te _x (0 < x < 1.3 wt %) solid solutions are investigated using the indentation method. The breaking points of doped and undoped crystals are measured by the uniaxial compression method. It is revealed that the microhardness anisotropy coefficient for crystals with a tellurium dopant content of ∼0.3 wt % is equal to unity. A change in the tellurium content in the solid solutions from 0.2 to 1.3 wt % leads to a linear increase in the microhardness by 23%. The brittle strength of the ZnSe and ZnSe_{(1 − x)}Te _x crystals varies in a similar manner. It is demonstrated that heat treatment and the presence of interblock boundaries affect the ultimate strength and the cracking resistance of the ZnSe_{(1 − x)}Te _x crystals. This is an important factor which should be taken into account in mechanical treatment of the materials under investigation.     

Preparation,properties, and crystal structure of bis(acetylcholine)tetrabromodioxouranium(VI)

The compound bis(acetylcholine)tetrabromodioxouranium(VI), [C₇H₁₆-NO₂]₂ UO₂ Br₄, has been prepared and its physicochemical properties studied. No influence of the uranyl-bromide system on the muscarinic conformation of acetylcholine in the adduct was inferred on the basis of biological activity measurements. This lack of effect on the acetylcholine molecule by [UO₂Br₄]^2– anion is confirmed by X-ray structure determination. The crystals are orthorhombic, space groupPnma,Z = 4,a =13.60(2),b = 20.94(3),c = 9.22(2) Å. The conventional discrepancy index is 0.087 for 1822 diffractometer data. Some disorder is observed in the acetylcholine molecule.Abbreviations AcCh Acetylcholine - [AcCh]₂UO₂Br₄ bis(acetylcholine)tetrabromodioxouranium(VI) - AcChE Acetylcholinesterase     

The growth and mechanical properties of paratellurite single crystals at high temperatures

α-TeO₂ single crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method on specially developed systems with automatic growth control. The mechanical properties of crystals under compression in the [100], [110], and [221] directions at a constant strain rate of about 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ in the temperature range T = 733−993 K have been investigated. The distribution of plastic shear strain in deformed samples is has been experimentally studied. Manifestations of localized strain in covalent paratellurite crystals at T > 900 K are revealed for the first time. The active slip systems along which localized shear band are oriented are determined. The temperature dependence of the critical stress of transition to localized flow is investigated.