Outline
Introduction
HTS
IntroductionCrystalline materials are prepared as bulk single crystals, epitaxial layers, powders, and fibers for basic research and for applications in demonstrations and devices. The materials spectrum for basic research is extremely broad and the demands on size and quality are relatively modest. Contrary, crystalline materials for technical applications have to be tailored carefully regarding crystal quality, size, and not at last price. Unfortunately, there is no ideal growth method. In general, however, only a limited number of methods are beneficial to prepare economically a crystalline material with specific properties considering the actual phase diagram and crystal growth conditions and the (potential) applications. Always there are close connections between fundamental studies, technological developments, preparation of tailored materials, and applications. Therefore? correlations between input (growth) parameters and materials properties have to be well established experimentally and theoretically to obtain optimum technologies.