Growth of single crystal fibers for optical applications

A miniaturized float zone process using laser heating has been found to be very effective for producing long, small-diameter single crystals (i.e., single-crystal fibers). These crystals are easier to grow, can be prepared at higher growth rates, and generally have higher crystalline perfection than crystals grown by other methods. Use of this technology should therefore facilitate the determination of the physical properties of a wide range of materials for device applications. In addition, possibilities exist for using the single-crystal fibers, either singly or in multiple-fiber arrays, in a variety of device applications. Various aspects of fiber growth are discussed, including the float zone process and some examples of the growth of several interesting optical materials, including LiNbO₃ and Sr_x Ba_1-xNb₂O₆, and the growth of BaTiO₃-BaB₂O₄ and Bi₂O₃ -GeO₂ fibers from eutectic melts