YVO4 single-crystal fiber growth by the LHPG method

In this study, we use the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method to grow yttrium orthovanadate (YVO4) single-crystal fibers. The stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric ceramic rods of YVO4 are obtained and then melted by a CO2 laser. During the YVO2 growth process, we use a thermal imaging radiometer to observe the thermal radiation emitted by the melt, ceramics and crystals. With the higher pulling rates during the LHPG method process and proper thermal imaging process control, the dissociation of V2O5 is reduced and we obtain transparent a-axis YVO4 crystal fibers of length 40 mm. We also examine the lattice parameters of the grown crystal fibers. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.