On the design of double-ellipsoid mirror furnace and its thermal characteristics for floating-zone growth of SrxBa1-xTiO3 single crystals

We have designed a double ellipsoid mirror furnace for floating-zone crysta l growth using lamps with rectangular filaments. Its thermal characteristic s were studied using an alumina tube for several system configurations. A s imple comparison with a commercial furnace that used cylinder lamps for the heating profile was also conducted. By adjusting lamp orientation and posi tions, one could modify heating profiles easily. In general, the thermal ch aracteristics of the furnace were consistent with the model's prediction [J . Crystal Growth 173 (1997) 561]. The effects of growth chamber and heat pi pe were further illustrated. Furthermore, a suitable system configuration l eading to better heating uniformity and lower thermal gradients near the gr owth interface was found for the floating-zone growth of SrxBa1-xTiO3 singl e crystals.