Introduction to the Growth of Single Crystals

Single crystals are of critical importance to the study of complex solids such as the new high temperature superconductors. Single crystals are free of grain boundary effects and allow measurements of physical properties as a function of crystal orientation. 

Standard techniques for the growth of bulk single crystals are  

Sintering, grain growth Generally produces very small 

Vapor phase transport Requires volatile constituents 

Requires specialized equipment. Detailed knowledge of the phase diagram is not required. 

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