4-8 July 2016
Kramer Law building
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
<a href="http://events.saip.org.za/internalPage.py?pageId=10&confId=86">The Proceedings of SAIP2016</a> published on 24 December 2017

Development of Metal-flux based Crystal-growth Facility

5 Jul 2016, 16:10
1h 50m
Kramer Law building

Kramer Law building

UCT Middle Campus Cape Town
Board: A.203
Poster Presentation Track A - Division for Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Poster Session (1)

Speaker

Ms Buyi Sondezi (University of Johannesburg)

Please indicate whether<br>this abstract may be<br>published online<br>(Yes / No)

Yes

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD, N/A)?

PhD

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>

Single crystals are solids in which the atoms/molecules are arranged in such way that the lattice periodicity is extended uninterruptedly till the edge of the materials. The advancement of micro-electronics research, laser-technology and solid state device research is due to the development in crystal growth technology. Among various growth methods, melt flux crystal growth technique is employed extensively for discovery of new materials owing to their diffusivity power, wide range of applicability and low equipment costs. We will present the detailed report of our single crystal growth facility by focusing on the physio-chemical process involved with metallic-flux technique, working principles of various experimental processes and optimization of the growth conditions for some cage compounds. Flux method is a crystal growth technique where the constituent elements are dissolved in a reactive metallic-solvent (Flux). Low melting point metals Sn, Ga, Bi, Al or Sb are used as solvent. The flux serves as a medium for the constituent elements to dissolve either completely or partially. The flux can act as a transporting medium which dissolves one component at particular place and grows the product at another location. The nucleation, reaction kinetics, and dimensions can be controlled by: flux:charge ratio, cooling-rate, homogenization conditions. The inert atmosphere and temperature stability are two essential requirements for synthesizing high quality single crystals. To provide inert atmosphere Alumina crucibles are placed in a quartz tube and evacuated to the pressure of 10-6 mbar before closing the tube under vacuum. The mixture is heated at 1000-1200 ° C for 24 hrs using a Carbolite Box furnace and then the temperature is reduced close to the melting of the flux in 2-3 temperature segments. At that temperature the tube is removed from the furnace and placed in one of the arms of a low speed centrifuge to remove the flux.

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

Yes

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Prof. Andre. M Strydom
amstrydom@uj.ac.za
Department of Physics, University of Johannesburg,

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

No

Primary author

Dr Ramesh Kumar Kamadurai (Highly Correlated Matter Research Group, University of Johannesburg)

Co-authors

Prof. Andre Strydom (University of Johannesburg) Ms Buyi Sondezi (University of Johannesburg)

Presentation Materials

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