The edge-defined film-fed growth of rare-earth vanadate single crystals

The applicability of the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) technique for the production of the rare-earth vanadate single crystals (YVO4, LuVO4) was proved by successful growth of the crystals up to 110 mm in length with a stable shape. Moreover, the usage of the EFG technique made it possible to produce up to four vanadate crystals simultaneously. At the first time LuVO4 single crystals up to 1 in in diameter have been grown by the modified EFG technique using a newly developed die construction.