CeSi2−δ single crystals: growth features and properties

Rare-earth intermetallic compounds at a magnetic instability

“…CeSi x crystallizes for x 1.85 in the orthorhombic α-GdSi 2 structure (Imma) and for x 1.85 in the tetragonal α-ThSi 2 structure (I4 1 /amd) [36]. In both cases, of course, the Si deficiency leads to Si vacancies.…”

“…For larger x, small Si precipates were found. Here, we focus on a crystal with x = 1.81 which had been characterized previously [36]. Fig.…”

Oxygen as impurity in crystal growth of intermetallics

“…Although the terminus ''intermetallics'' should describe a combination of two or several metals, there is the large group of metallic phases comprising non-metallic elements like Si, Ge, B, C but named widely in literature ''intermetallics'' in contrast to oxide compounds [3]. Intermetallic compounds show a wide variety of superconducting [4,5], semiconducting [6] and thermoelectric properties [7], as well as various magnetic orderings [8,9], heavy fermion behaviour [10] and other. Since the intrinsic physical properties are more pronounced in a single crystalline form, high-quality monocrystals of various intermetallic compounds are highly desired for research studies.…”

“…Owing to the containerless melting, the floating zone (FZ) technique is very promising in synthesis and crystallization of a huge variety of intermetallic compounds with high melting temperatures and reactive elements [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. One serious problem in FZ crystal growth of intermetallic compounds with high perfection is the control of oxygen as a trace element.…”

“…The presence of a small amount of oxygen ($0.3 mol%) can strongly affect the crystal perfection [4,5,7,9]. In the case of FZ technique there are three main sources for oxygen contamination: (1) oxygen content in initial raw elements or compounds used for alloy synthesis, (2) contamination during alloy preparation and feed rod production, (3) contamination during crystallization process, e.g.…”