Solid state single crystal growth of three-dimensional faceted LaFeAsO crystals

Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Journal of Crystal Growth, Volume 483
Author(s): Rhea Kappenberger, Saicharan Aswartham, Francesco Scaravaggi, Christian G.F. Blum, Mihai I. Sturza, Anja U.B. Wolter, Sabine Wurmehl, Bernd Büchner
Solid state single crystal growth (SSCG) is a crystal growth technique where crystals are grown from a polycrystalline matrix. Here, we present single crystals of the iron pnictide LaFeAsO grown via SSCG using NaAs as a liquid phase to aid crystallization. The size of the as-grown crystals are up to 2 × 3 × 0.4 mm³. Typical for this method, but very uncommon for crystals of the pnictide superconductors and especially for the oxypnictides, the crystals show pronounced facets caused by considerable growth in c direction. The crystals were characterized regarding their composition, structure, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties. This sets the stage for further measurements for which single crystals are crucial such as any c axis and reciprocal space dependent measurements.