Growth kinetic study of potassium niobate single crystal: A new method for high time-resolution kinetic data of ABO3-type materials

Abstract

A new method to obtain high time-resolution kinetic data has been introduced in conjunction with a directional growth of KNbO3 single crystal. Using the step-growth on a selected (1 0 0)pc plane, experimental conditions such as solid-liquid-vapour meniscus, solute concentration, and temperature, can be well defined for the kinetic data. Due to the selective growth employed, the growth data account truly for a crystallographic plane of interest. Because the grown steps serve as a time marker, the volume of step can be measured and assigned to a respective growth whose time resolution achieved in this study is 8.4 s. In addition, using the current method, sequential growth events can be conducted with variable pulling rates to abstract different growth information. Small growth perturbation can also be recorded sensitively, as evidenced in the growth oscillation observed. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the method can be employed to other oxide perovskite ABO3 single crystal growths. Future applications and investigations are also proposed.