Nonlinear LiBIIIC2VI crystals for mid-IR and far-IR:: Novel aspects in crystal growth

A rapid heating thermal technique with high pressures of inert gas in camera was used to study the T-x diagram of the Li2C-B2C3 (B = In, Ga; C = S, Se) systems in the Li2C-rich region where melt and vapor are aggressive to any container material. A bounded solubility of two components in a liquid state is likely due to thermal dissociation of the melt into Li2C and Li1+xBC2 (x<0.1) components was found. The compositions of immiscible liquids were determined by a differential dissolution method. The melts quenched sharply from temperatures of the monotectic and the limiting saturation lines were studied. The effect of the melt inhomogeneity on the crystallization process is discussed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.