Czochralski Crystal Growth of Intermetallics Compounds by Use of a Tri-Arc Furnace

Preparation of R5Ge3 single crystals by Czochralski growth in a tri-arc furnace is described. A rectangular polycrystal seed was fixed to a thermally isolated Mo rod in the furnace, and crystals pulling from a homogeneous melt. Growth of single crystals requires careful choice of the pulling speed, rotating speed, arc melting current and anode cooling rate, all of which vary depending on the compound. For instance, an Nd5Ge3 single crystal was successfully grown at a pulling rate of 0.8 mm/min and rotation rate of 6 rpm.