Investigations on synthesis, growth and physical characterization of lithium selenoindate single crystals

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth 2014-09, Vol.401, p.205-209
• Main Authors: Vijayakumar, P., Magesh, M., Arunkumar, A., Babu, G. Anandha, Ramasamy, P., Nair, K.G.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A1. Characterization; A1. Solidification; A2. Bridgman technique; Ampoules; B1. Lithium compounds; B2. Semiconducting ternary compounds; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cracks; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystals; Diffraction patterns; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from melts; zone melting and refining; Lithium; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of bulk materials and thin films; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Physics; Single crystals; Solidification; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation; Vickers microhardness; X-rays
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2013.12.026

Crack free LiInSe2 single crystal with bottom dimension of 8mm diameter and 10mm length and top dimension of 12mm diameter and 22mm length was grown using modified vertical Bridgman–Stockbarger method with steady ampoule rotation. The grown LiInSe2 crystal was characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) analysis, Thermogravimetric-Differential thermal (TG-DTA) analysis, optical transmission and microhardness measurements. X-ray diffraction pattern gives the orientation of the crystal as 〈002〉. RBS analysis confirms that the composition of the grown crystal is Li0.8In1.16Se2.04. TG-DTA analysis confirms that the melting point of the grown crystal is 897.5°C. Optical behavior has been assessed by ultraviolet–visible–near infrared spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis. LiInSe2 optical band gap energy is 2.72eV and the cut off wavelength is 450nm. Mechanical behavior has been studied using Vickers Microhardness measurements. •Melt and temperature oscillation method was adopted for synthesizing LiInSe2•The large LiInSe2 crystal of high integrity was grown by the modified vertical-Bridgman–Stockbarger method.•RBS measurement confirms the composition of the LiInSe2•PSR model is applied for hardness measurements.