Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.498, 124-129, 2018
Optimization of single crystal growth of candidate quantum spin-ice Pr2Hf2O7 by optical floating-zone method
We report the optimized conditions for growing the high quality single crystals of candidate quantum spin-ice Pr2Hf2O7 using the optical floating-zone method. Large single crystals of Pr2Hf2O7 have been grown under different growth conditions using a four-mirror type optical floating-zone furnace and their microscopic structural differences have been probed by high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD). The SXRD data reveal that the crystals grown under flowing argon (similar to 2 L/h) atmosphere with slightly off-stoichiometric (optimized) starting composition yields the highest quality crystals. The magnetic susceptibility, isothermal magnetization and heat capacity data of optimally grown crystals are presented.
Keywords:Pyrochlore;Quantum spin-ice;Characterization;High resolution X-ray diffraction;Floating zone technique