Fiber single-crystal growth from the melt for optical applications

The micro-pulling-down technique has been applied to produce undoped and 0.1% Nd3+-doped Y3Al5O12 garnet single-crystal fibers with controlled diameter. The hot zone construction and fiber-pulling conditions have been optimized. As a result, growth of transparent and homogeneous fiber crystals has been achieved. The crystals have been grown under 10(5) Pa (1 atm) of argon atmosphere, with the pulling rate varied in the range of 0.3-2.0 mm/min. One hundred percent of the starting melt has been normally transformed into a crystalline material, with an empty crucible ready for the next growth procedure. The as-produced fibers demonstrate promising optical properties.