Low-temperature synthesis of starting materials for β-barium metaborate (β-BBO) crystal growth

Synthesis of starting materials for β-barium metaborate (β-BBO) crysal growth by a low-temperature “carbonate” method has been investigated. Materials systhesized below the σ-β phase transformation temperature of BBO have been subjected to thermogravimetry, X-ray difraction and chemical analysis. The results show that an almost carbonless stoichiometric β-phase can be obtained without the need for the widely employed high-temperature “carbonate” synthesis. Some advantages of using the β-BBO material synthesized by the low-temperature “carbonate” method are emphasized.