Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.208, No.1-4, 379-388, 2000
Characterization of CdGeAs2 grown by the float zone technique under microgravity
One polycrystalline and one single-crystal CdGeAs2 feed rods with 9 mm diameter were processed by the float-zone technique under microgravity on SPACEHAB-SH04 during the STS-77 Space Shuttle Endeavour mission. An eutectic salt of LiCl and KCI was used as an encapsulant to suppress Cd and As evaporation from the melt. Post-flight chemical, structural, electronic, and optical characterization of the two samples is presented. Single-crystal growth was achieved using a seed crystal.
Keywords:CdGeAs2;microgravity;crystal growth;float zone;chemical composition;x-ray diffraction;infrared spectroscopy