Optimum crucible material for growth of Pr2-xCexCuO4 crystal

With the aim of finding an optimum crucible for growth of Pr2-xCexCuO4 crys tal, reactions between CuO flux and various crucible materials were studied . Among six different crucible materials, Pt, Al2O3, ZrO2, Y2O3, CeO2 and M gO, Pt crucible was suitable for using Ce free solution. For Ce doped solut ion, MgO crucible was better than other materials. The reactant between Pt crucible and CuO flux was identified as Pt,Cu. In the case of MgO crucible, Mg,CuO, and (Mg,Cu)O-x were produced as reactants. We found a method to re strain the reaction between the crucible and the solution. Using this metho d for growth of Ce doped crystal, we grew a crystal of: size 30 mm diameter x 1.5 mm. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.