Growth and characteristic of Sr3Tb(BO3)3 crystal

A new borate single crystal of Sr3Tb(BO3)3 with dimension Ф20×25 mm2 has been grown by the Czochralski method. The grown crystal was characterized by DTA–TGA, FTIR and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The results showed the crystal with [BO3]3− is congruently melting at 1351.35 °C which belongs to hexagonal structure. The hardness of Sr3Tb(BO3)3 crystal is 422.5 VDH, and is equal to 5.0 moh. The thermal expansion coefficients were determined to be 2.08×10−5/°C along (1 0 0) direction and 7.43×10−6/°C along (0 0 1) direction and the transmission spectrum was measured in 320–1800 nm at room temperature. The magnetic properties of the single crystal were studied which showed its paramagnetism and magnetic anisotropy. The specific Faraday rotation of single crystal was measured at room temperature in 532, 633, and 1064 nm wavelength. The Verdet constants and magneto-optical figures of merit were investigated. The primary emphasis is laid to explore a new magneto-optical material, all the magneto-optical properties of Sr3Tb(BO3)3 are comparing to the ones of TGG.