Methods / Equipment

The Crystal Growth group specializes in growing high-quality single crystals using a range of advanced techniques. We apply, modify, and develop methods such as traveling solvent floating zone (TSFZ), high-pressure floating zone, Bridgman, flux growth, solid-state reaction, and vapor transport to synthesize crystals from the melt or solution. These materials range from isotopically pure semiconductors to fullerenes and transition metal oxides.

Our lab is equipped with:

1. Traveling Solvent Floating Zone (TSFZ) Furnaces – Used for high-purity single-crystal growth, particularly transition metal oxides.
2. High-Pressure Floating Zone Furnace (HKZ) – Enables crystal growth under extreme conditions.
3. Bridgman Method – Applied for directional solidification of bulk crystals.
4. Vapor Transport – Modified to grow II-VI and III-V compounds with controlled isotopic compositions.
5. High-Temperature Optical Microscope (HTOM) – Allows in-situ observation of thermal behavior.
6. Polarization Techniques – Used for polling of twin domains in crystals.
7. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) – Determines crystal composition and microstructure.
8. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Laue Diffraction – Identifies crystal structures and orientations.
9. Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTA/TG) – Studies phase transitions and thermal stability.

By combining these growth techniques with precise characterization methods, we ensure the development of high-quality single crystals for fundamental research and technological applications.