Growth of high quality lead germanate crystals for pyroelectric applications

Abstract
Studies of problems connected with the Czochralski growth of high quality lead germanate (Pb5Ge3O11) crystals for pyroelectric and electro-optic applications are described. The compositions of second phase inclusions are identified as PbGeO3 and Pb3GeO3 while the major phase is found to be Pb5Ge3O11. These inclusions not only reduce the optical quality of the crystals, but can cause twinning and subsequent cracking. Additional cracking of crystals caused by thermal shock during the pulling process is minimized by the use of an rf heated graphite furnace chamber. Large inclusion-free Pb5Ge3O11 crystals can be grown reproducibly with this method.

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