Crystal Growth in Solid State Physics

Abstract

Although it is now generally acknowledged that crystal growth is very important in solid state physics, there are still many opinions how this interaction should take place. The present author believes that it should be based on fundamental studies of the solid state chemistry of the materials whose single crystals are ultimately wanted. Systematic thermodynamic and structural studies are necessary in order to decide on the best strategy for crystal growth. Another supporting argument is the sensitivity of many physical properties on the chemical and thermochemical conditions of the crystal growth process. For example, as we demonstrate further down, the control of the non-stoichiometry of the crystals is very important in order to optimize certain physical phenomena. Growing crystals by trial and error or concentrating only on nucleation and growth kinetics aspects, will give us crystals with unknown stoichiometries or defect concentrations and therefore with unreproducible physical properties.