Growth and magnetic‐optical properties of Sr₃Gd(BO₃)₃ and Sr₃Tb_xGd_1‐x(BO₃)₃ single crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of Sr 3 Gd(BO 3 ) 3 (SGB) and Sr 3 Tb x Gd 1-x (BO 3 ) 3 (TSGB) with dimension Ø 20 mm×20 mm have been grown by Czochralski method. The grown crystals were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis which showed the crystals belong to hexagonal structure with lattice parameters of a=b=1.254 nm, c=0.926 nm (SGB) and a=b=1.253 nm, c=0.925 nm (TSGB). In TSGB, x=17.7% was obtained by X-ray fluorometry which showed the segregation coefficient of Tb is closed to 1. The transmission spectrum was measured, which indicated the crystals have high transmittance in 400-1100 nm region. The Faraday rotation of single crystals at 532 nm wavelength was measured at room temperature. Finally, the Verdet constants were investigated, (SGB) V=17.9 degcm -1 T -1 and (TSGB) V=21.3 degcm