Flux growth, composition, structural and thermal characteristics of (RxY1-x)Al-3(BO3)(4) (R = Nd, Gd; x = 1, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7 and 0.75) crystals

(RxY1-x)Al-3(BO3)(4) (R = Nd, Gd;x = 1, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7 and 0.75) single cry stals have been grown from fluxed melts. The segregation coefficients of ne odymium and gadolinium were estimated to be 0.66-0.92 and 0.88-1.03, respec tively. This coefficient increases with an increase of R2O3/Y2O3 ratio in t he initial mixture. The (Nd0.63Y0.37)Al-3(BO3)(4) structure was refined. Th e thermal behavior of the above berates was studied in the temperature rang e of 940-1030 degrees C. Among the decomposition products, the crystalline aluminoborates Al4B2O9, Al18B4O33 and rare earth berates RBO3 were determin ed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.