Growing gadolinium gallium garnet with calcium ions

Abstract

Monocrystalline gadolinium gallium garnet is prepared by the Czochralski growth process from a melt composed of the oxides of gadolinium and gallium. In order for this process to produce uniform crystal growth, the growing crystal must support a meniscus of liquid above the level of the surrounding melt. This meniscus is held up by the surface tension between the liquid and the growing crystal. It has been established that impurities in the meniscus region lower the surface tension of the liquid phase causing the meniscus to lose contact with the solid phase resulting in nonuniform crystal growth. By the addition of approximately 100 ppm of calcium into the melt, a counteracting effect is produced causing the meniscus to remain in contact with the growing crystal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.