Crystal growth of rutile by tilting-mirror-type floating zone method

Mirror tilting effects on the interface shape during crystal growth and on the etch pit density of the grown crystals were studied using a tilting-mirror-type image furnace. With increase of tilting angle of mirrors, convexities of both melt-feed and melt-crystal interface and the etch pit density of the grown crystal were systematically reduced. The melt zone, which is formed during crystal growth, was also stabilized by mirror tilting. In the mirror tilted condition, a large rutile single crystal of 19 mm ϕ diameter was successfully grown.

► The convexity of the crystal-melt interface decreased with tilting angle of the image furnace.
► The stability of the molten zone was also enhanced.
► The quality of the grown crystal was significantly improved in the mirror tilted condition.
► A large rutile single crystal of 19 mm ϕ diameter was also successfully grown.