Abstract: In a method of forming an Nd:YVO4 laser crystal, a melt of Nd:YVO4 in a vacuum is provided and an Nd:YVO4 seed crystal is provided in the vacuum with its c-axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the melt. While in the vacuum, Nd:YVO4 from the melt is caused to adhere to the Nd:YVO4 seed crystal thereby forming an Nd:YVO4 boule with its c-axis oriented perpendicular to the surface of the melt. A portion of the boule can be removed therefrom to become an Nd:YVO4 laser crystal having no sub-grain boundaries and/or ghost veils in a cross section thereof perpendicular to the c-axis. This c-axis grown Nd:YVO4 crystal can be used as the lasing element of a laser.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystal of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT). The method includes providing a flat-bottomed iridium crucible containing PMN-PT starting material, and placing the crucible into a vertical Bridgman furnace having at least two temperature zones, which is subsequentially pressured with an inert gas. The crucible then descends into the temperature zones of the vertical Bridgman furnace. The temperature zones of the vertical Bridgman furnace include a first temperature zone having a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the PMN-PT material and a second temperature zone having a temperature less than the melting temperature of the PMN-PT material. The single crystals of the PMN-PT prepared using the above-described method exhibits a [110] crystal orientation and may be used in electroacoustic transducers. The electroacoustic transducers are useful in devices that detect or generate acoustic waves.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystals of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT). The method includes providing a flat-bottomed iridium crucible containing PMN-PT starting material, and placing the crucible into a vertical Bridgman furnace having at least two temperature zones, which is subsequently pressured with an inert gas. The crucible then descends into the temperature zones of the vertical Bridgman furnace. The temperature zones of the vertical Bridgman furnace include a first temperature zone having a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the PMN-PT material and a second temperature zone having a temperature less than the melting temperature of the PMN-PT material. The single crystals of PMN-PT prepared using the above-described method exhibits a [110] crystal orientation and may be used in electroacoustic transducers. The electroacoustic transducers are useful in devices that detect or generate acoustic waves.