Crystal growth of the rare earth metals

Abstract

Single crystals of the majority of the rare earth metals and alloys have been grown by three techniques. The recrystallization method, first described by Nigh (1963) has been simplified and used for Sm and the heavy rare earth Gd-Tm. The controlling parameters for this method are the purity of the material and the annealing temperature. Techniques to achieve optimum annealing and to reduce vapour loss are described. Pr, Nd, Eu and PrNd crystals have been produced by Czochralski pulling from the melt contained in a water cooled crucible. Larger crystals of Pr and Nd may be made by float zone melting.