Laser furnace for growing large single crystals
Ruby single crystal, Tm ~ 2072 °C, refractory material
SmB6 single crystal, Tm ~ 2345°C, a refractory, topological insulator, highly conductive
In cooperation with the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and Mr. Yoshio Kaneko, Quantum Design Japan have developed two laser furnaces (1 kW and 2 kW) to produce single crystals. Both types work with 5 lasers which guarantee a uniform power density in the furnace area. The laser profile has been optimized to reduce thermal stress during the growth process. In addition, the system comprises an integrated temperature sensor for real time temperature monitoring. The system reaches 3000 °C, so even materials with a very high vapor pressure can be melted and single crystals can be produced which:
- melt within a very small temperature range
- have a high vapor pressure near the melting point
- have a high thermal conductivity coefficient like metallic compositions
- are refractory
- have incongruent melts (ideal solution for the traveling solvent floating zone method)
Because words often say more than pictures, see above and below examples from Dr. Y. Kaneko of RIKEN CEMS.
