Beginner’s Guide to Flux Crystal Growth


Book Description

This book introduces the principles and techniques of crystal growth by the flux method, which is arguably the most useful way to obtain millimeter- to centimeter-sized single crystals for physical research. As it is possible to find an appropriate solvent (“flux”) for nearly all inorganic materials, the flux method can be applied to the growth of many crystals ranging from transition metal oxides to intermetallic compounds. Both important principles and experimental procedures are described in a clear and accessible manner. Practical advice on various aspects of the experiment, which is not readily available in the literature, will assist the beginning graduate students in setting up the lab and conducting successful crystal growth. The mechanisms of crystal growth at an elementary level are also provided to better understand the techniques and to help in assessing the quality of the crystals. The book also contains many photographs of beautiful crystals with important physical properties of current interest, such as high-temperature superconductors, strongly correlated electronic systems, topological insulators, relaxor ferroelectrics, low-dimensional quantum magnets, non-linear optical materials, and multiferroics.




Crystal Growth for Beginners


Book Description

This is the first-ever textbook on the fundamentals of nucleation, crystal growth and epitaxy. It has been written from a unified point of view and is thus a non-eclectic presentation of this interdisciplinary topic in materials science. The reader is required to possess some basic knowledge of mathematics and physics. All formulae and equations are accompanied by examples that are of technological importance. The book presents not only the fundamentals but also the state of the art in the subject. The second revised edition includes two separate chapters dealing with the effect of the Enrich-Schwoebel barrier for down-step diffusion, as well as the effect of surface active species, on the morphology of the growing surfaces. In addition, many other chapters are updated accordingly. Thus, it serves as a valuable reference book for both graduate students and researchers in materials science.




Crystal Growth For Beginners: Fundamentals Of Nucleation, Crystal Growth And Epitaxy (Third Edition)


Book Description

'The book is well organized and is pedagogical. By discussing crystallization in pure systems, the author introduces and describes the important concepts, physical parameters and theoretical models pertaining to nucleation and growth of crystals … If you are a young investigator or a graduate student whose research involves understanding the fundamentals of crystallization including nucleation and growth, this book will be a treat for you. Readers who have a strong background in physical chemistry or thermal physics may find the book easy to read. Nevertheless, this book should be a good reference to have on the bookshelf if you are an experienced researcher whose interest crosses the path with the general topics of crystal growth.'Acta Crystallographica Section BThe processes of new phase formation and growth are of fundamental importance in numerous rapidly developing scientific fields such as modern materials science, micro- and optoelectronics, and environmental science. Crystal Growth for Beginners combines the depth of information in monographs, with the thorough analysis of review papers, and presents the resulting content at a level understandable by beginners in science. The book covers, in practice, all fundamental questions and aspects of nucleation, crystal growth, and epitaxy.This book is a non-eclectic presentation of this interdisciplinary topic in materials science. The third edition brings existing chapters up to date, and includes new chapters on the growth of nanowires by the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, as well as illustrated short biographical texts about the scientists who introduced the basic ideas and concepts into the fields of nucleation, crystal growth and epitaxy. All formulae and equations are illustrated by examples that are of technological importance. The book presents not only the fundamentals but also the state of the art in the subject.Crystal Growth for Beginners is a valuable reference for both graduate students and researchers in materials science. The reader is required to possess some basic knowledge of mathematics, physics and thermodynamics.




Field Guide to Crystal Growth


Book Description

"Crystal growth is the art and science of growing crystals to facilitate high-technology applications in lasers, semiconducting devices, computers, magnetic and optical devices, optical processors, and pharmaceuticals, among others. This Field Guide examines the basic phenomena and techniques of growing bulk single crystals from solution, melt, and vapors. Some techniques for growth in the microgravity environment of space are also addressed. Other topics include how to choose the right crystallization method (concentration gradient or thermal gradient) based on the physical and chemical properties of the system, and the best solvents, agents, and temperatures to produce high-quality crystals"--




Beginner's Guide to Gemmology


Book Description

Beginner's Guide to Gemmology presents the profiles of the principal gem materials. This book discusses the interesting characteristics of gemstones as the growing consumer market jewelry resulted in increased sales of gem testing instruments. Organized into 12 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the development of the science of gemmology. This text then explains the fundamental qualities necessary in a gem, including color, hardness, specific gravity, crystallography, refractive index, pleochroism, critical angle, luminescence, and absorption spectra. Other chapters consider the organic gem materials, including amber, ivory, coral, tortoiseshell, jet, ebony, and pearl. This book discusses as well the various methods used in the production of man-made gemstones and the commercial use in gem testing. The final chapter deals with the composition of synthetic gemstones. This book is a valuable resource for gemmologists and jewelers. Students who intend to become a qualified gemologist will also find this book extremely useful.




Emergent Micro- and Nanomaterials for Optical, Infrared, and Terahertz Applications


Book Description

Driven by continuing pursuits in device miniaturization and performance improvement, emergent micro- and nanomaterials hold the keys to enabling next-generation technologies in optical, infrared, and terahertz applications, owing to their unique properties and strong responses in these frequency bands. Development of these fascinating materials has triggered a number of opportunities in the applied sciences, and some have even made their impact in the market. Emergent Micro- and Nanomaterials for Optical, Infrared, and Terahertz Applications reviews state-of-the-art developments in various emergent materials and their implementation in applications such as sensors, waveplates, communications, and light sources, among others. The book discusses the similarities, advantages, and limitations and offers a comparative of each material. This volume: Covers all emergent materials (natural and artificial) that are promising for optical, infrared, and terahertz applications Comparatively analyzes these materials, elucidating their unique advantages, limitations, and application scopes Provides an up-to-date record on achievements and progress in cutting-edge optical, infrared, and terahertz applications Offers a comprehensive overview to connect multidisciplinary fields, such as materials, physics, and optics, to serve as a basis for future progress This book is a valuable reference for engineers, researchers, and students in the areas of materials and optics, as well as physics, and will benefit both junior- and senior-level researchers.




Physics of Spin-Orbit-Coupled Oxides


Book Description

This book is aimed at graduate students, post docs and senior researchers with preliminary expertise in materials physics or chemistry, and with an interest in the physical and chemical properties of 4d- and 5d transition metal oxides, especially ruthenates and iridates. The 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides are among the most current and interesting quantum materials. This book reviews recent experimental and theoretical evidence that the physical and structural properties of these materials are decisively influenced by strong spin-orbit interactions that compete with comparable Coulomb, magnetic exchange and crystalline electric field interactions. This competition often leads to unusual ground states and magnetic frustration that are unique to this class of materials. Novel coupling between the orbital/lattice and spin degrees of freedom, which seriously challenge current theoretical models and are not addressed by traditional textbooks, are of particular interest, This book also reviews a few techniques for single-crystal growth that are most suitable for the 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides. The discussion is intended to help fill an existing void in the literature describing relevant synthesis techniques for 4d- and 5d-materials, which is a daunting experimental challenge.




Inorganic Thermoelectric Materials


Book Description

Inorganic Thermoelectric Materials reviews the important new families of advanced materials that have emerged and taken the field beyond the long-standing focus on traditional thermoelectric materials.




Intermetallics


Book Description

The expanded edition focuses still more on Synthesis discussing necessary requirements for sample preparation and presents the broad range from structural analysis to property investigations. Additional examples of chemical and physical properties are highlighted for metallic, binary and multinary intermetallic compounds. The work contains an up-dated literature overview in all sub-chapters and a detailed formulae index.




Shaped Crystals


Book Description

This volume offers an overview of the growth of shaped crystals (oxides, fluorides, etc.) by the micro-pulling-down technique. Both melt and solution (flux) growth are considered. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed in detail and compared with related crystal-growth processes. The authors attempt to give a practical introduction to this technique, thereby also explaining how its application can help to solve problems commonly encountered in other melt-growth methods.