Growth and characterisation of MnTe crystals

We report on the low temperature growth of MnTe crystals by means of travel ling solution methods. Two different processes are considered; a classical THM process using a low temperature presynthesised MnTe ingot, and a modifi ed THM process, in which an increasing length of solvent zone collects the tellurium that was added to the stoichiometric charge to decrease the react ion temperature. Ingots from the two methods are analysed by means of scann ing electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, resistivity, susceptibility and optical absorption measurements. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.