Crystal growth of the quasi-one dimensional spin-magnet LiCuVO4

The phase relationships in the Li-Cu-V-O and Li-Cu-V-O-Cl systems were inve stigated and the phase diagrams determined. Based on these diagrams single crystals of the low-dimensional spin compound LiCuVO4 with maximal dimensio ns up to 12 x 3 x 3 mm(3) were grown from a solution of LiCuVO4 in a LNO3 o r a LiVO3-LiCl melt. The stoichiometry of the grown crystals is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.