Crystal growth of LiIn_1–xGa_xSe₂ crystals

Journal Article · Sat Oct 22 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Crystal Growth

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2016.10.051· OSTI ID:1409372

Wiggins, Brenden ^[1]; Bell, Joseph ^[2]; Woodward, Jonathan ^[3]; Goodwin, Brandon ^[4]; Stassun, Keivan ^[5]; Burger, Arnold ^[5]; Stowe, Ashley ^[6]

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1. Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
2. Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Fisk Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
3. Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
4. Fisk Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
5. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States); Fisk Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
6. Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

Lithium containing chalcogenide single crystals have become very promising materials for photonics and radiation detection. Detection applications include nuclear nonproliferation, neutron science, and stellar investigations for the search of life. Synthesis and single crystal growth methods for lithium containing chalcogenide, specifically LiIn_1-xGa_xSe₂, single crystals are discussed. This study elucidates the possibility of improving neutron detection by reducing the indium capture contribution; with the incorporation of the lithium-6 isotope, gallium substitution may overcome the neutron detection efficiency limitation of ⁶LiInSe₂ due to appreciable neutron capture by the indium-115 isotope. As a figure of merit, the ternary parent compounds ⁶LiInSe₂ and ⁶LiGaSe₂ were included in this study. Quality crystals can be obtained utilizing the vertical Bridgman method to produce quaternary compounds with tunable optical properties. Here, quaternary crystals of varying quality depending on the gallium concentration, approximately 5 x 5 x 2 mm³ or larger in volume, were harvested, analyzed and revealed tunable absorption characteristics between 2.8-3.4 eV.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0001942
• OSTI ID: 1409372
• Report Number(s): MS/STO-160804-2; TRN: US1703083
• Journal Information: Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol. 468, Issue C; ISSN 0022-0248
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Lithium
Bridgman
neutron
crystal growth
chalcogenide
solid-solution