This volume presents 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. Currently the micro-pulling-down technique is applicable to the growth of crystals up to 1 m long with cross-section ranging from 0.05 to 10 mm. This book represents a valuable resource for researchers, industrial engineers, teachers, and students involved in materials science, crystal growth, physics, chemistry, optics and electronics.

Autorentext

Tsuguo Fukuda: PhD from the University of Tokyo (Japan); professional experience in materials science and crystal growth from melt and flux: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co. (Toshiba Corporation), Professor of Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University (Japan), Research Professor of Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, President of Fukuda X'tal Laboratory, over 600 papers and patents.

Valery I. Chani: PhD from General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow (Russia); professional experience in materials science and crystal growth from melt and flux: General Physics Institute, Tohoku University (Japan), McMaster University (Canada), Claude Bernard Lyon-1 University (France), over 100 papers and patents.

Inhalt
to Micro-Pulling-Down Method.- Micro-Pulling-Down (?-PD) and Related Growth Methods.- Basics of the ?-PD Method.- Equipment Configuration.- Growth Phenomena and Crystal Chemistry.- Modification and Evolution of ?-PD Method.- Flux Growth of Miniature Bulk Crystals by the ?-PD Method.- Mixed Crystals: ?-PD vs. Czochralski Method.- Isothermal Flux Evaporation Diameter Control.- Eutectic Fibers with Self-Organized Structures.- Growth and Characterization of Oxide ?-PD Crystals I: Scintillation and Laser Materials.- Scintillating Bulk Oxide Crystals.- Scintillating Crystals: Ce3+:YAlO3 and Yb3+:Lu3Al5O12.- YAG:Nd3+: ?-PD and Czochralski Growth and Properties.- High-Melting Rare-Earth Sesquioxides: Y2O3, Lu2O3, and Sc2O3.- MgAl2O4 Spinel Laser Crystals: Pure and Ti-, Mn-, or Ni-Doped.- Growth and Characterization of Oxide µ-PD Crystals II: Assorted Materials.- K3Li2Nb5O15 Fiber and Plate Crystals.- Piezoelectric Langasite-Type Crystals.- Shaped Sapphire: Rods, Tubes, and Plates.- Doped LiNbO3 Crystals.- Growth of Olivine and Wüstite Crystals.- Growth and Characterization of Non-Oxide ?-PD Crystals.- Silicon Fiber Crystals.- LiF, LiYF4, and Nd- and Er-Doped LiYF4 Fluoride Fibers.- Binary Fluorides: (Gd,Y)F3 and K(Y,Lu)3F10.- Shaped Fluorides.- Metal Alloy Fibers.