Crystal growth and structure analysis of Sm2-xCexCuO4

The phase diagram of the Sm2O3-CuO system was investigated by the combinati on of the differential thermal analysis and the quench method. The results showed that Sm2CuO4 incongruently melts at about 1220 degrees C, and that t he solid Sm2CuO4 exists in equilibrium with the liquid consisting of 81-95 mol% CuO in the range of 1060-1220 degrees C. On the basis of the phase dia gram, Sm2-xCexCuO4 single crystals were grown by the traveling solvent floa ting zone method. The crystal structure [space group I4/mmm, a = 3.917(1), c = 11.899(2) Angstrom] has been refined using single-crystal x-ray diffrac tion data with a precision corresponding to an R index of 0.02.