Single Crystal Growth of Paratellurite TeO₂

Abstract

Relations between the growth conditions and macroscopic defects have been investigated for paratellurite (TeO 2 ) crystals. Formation of gas bubbles, which are often found in the crystals, is due to the effect of the melt-flow and can be prevented by the slow pulling rate (about 1.5 mm/hr) combined with proper rate of the seed rotation. Subgrain structure (lineage) can be eliminated by selecting the [110] axis as the pulling direction.