Flux growth of (Mg1-xFex)SiO3 orthoenstatite crystals

Single crystals of (Mg1-xFex)SiO3 solid-solution with x between 0.066 and 0 .30 having the orthoenstatite structure are grown using a flux of the Li2O- MoO2-V2O5 system under a flow of nitrogen gas. The crystals obtained are tr ansparent prisms and are pale yellowish green with the maximum size of 2 x 2 x 8 mm(3). The crystals are almost homogeneous in Fe content along the c- axis, whereas they are slightly heterogeneous along the a- or b-axis. Incre ase of Fe3+ content by oxidations from Fe2+ in the flux induces formation o f Fe-rich regions where two Mg2+ ions would be co-replaced by one Lit and o ne Fe3+ ion keeping the same orthoenstatite structure. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.