CGCT-9

Crystalline materials are the pillars that support modern civilization. Hence, further sophistication of crystal engineering is vital for the sustainable development of society. The development of new crystal growth technologies and novel crystalline materials holds the key not only to an advanced information society made possible by semiconductor crystals, solid-state laser crystals, non-linear optical crystals and piezoelectric crystals, but also to energy and environment-related issues that endanger the entire human race. The blue LEDs and laser diodes, for which the Novel Prize in Physics was awarded in 2014, were the result of efforts pursued in the 1980-1990s to solve such global-level issues.

CGCT-9 will concentrate experts from all over the world to Asia, often regarded as the center of activity in crystal growth, and will provide sessions for presentations and discussion of crystal growth and peripheral technologies. This special issue includes the following topics that will be thoroughly discussed in CGCT-9: 1) III-V and oxide semiconductors, 2) group-IV semiconductors, 3) optical crystals, 4) scintillators and piezo-crystals, 5) superconductors, spintronic and strongly correlated electronic materials, etc. The aim of this special issue is to enrich our scholarly understanding of crystal engineering, and to contribute to the sustainable development of society through the promotion of industries that produce and use crystalline materials.