PROCESS FOR PREPARING SINGLE CRYSTAL BINARY METAL OXIDES OF IMPROVED PURITY

摘要

A method is disclosed for the growth of single crystals of a binary metal oxides of the formula ABO3 where A is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, B is at least one element selected from titanium, niobium and tantalum. A mixture comprising the constituent components of the ABO3 crystal is prepared using a basic oxide or carbonate of A and a stoichiometric excess of an acidic oxide of B. The mixture is heated at an elevated temperature to form a melt and is thereafter exposed to a reactive atmosphere of a mixture of gaseous carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Crystal growth from the melt is effected by a top-seeded crystal pulling technique.