Neutrons Scattering Group
Crystal Growth
Orienting, cutting and polishing of single crystals
After growing a crystal it is important to characterize its properties.
In contrast to neutron scattering, many characterization techniques, such as
magnetization and resistivity measurements as well as single crystal X-ray
diffraction, require singlecrystalline pieces with a particular shape,
crystallographic orientation and polished surfaces. Corresponding equipment
in our crystal growth lab includes a Laue camera to determine the crystal
orientation, diamond blade and wire saws, different types of polishing jigs,
a polishing machine, and a polarization microscope. The Laue camera is
mounted on a rotating anode X-ray generator (Rigaku). Different types of
goniometers are available, depending on the needs. All goniometers fit on
our saws and one of them can be mounted on a polishing jig, which allows the
preparation of polished surfaces with an error less than 1
degree in the
orientation. Our large angle goniometer is useful for orienting new
compounds with irregular shape, since Laue pictures from different crystal
sides can to be taken without remounting the crystal. Our large polishing
machine is capable of polishing several crystals at a time. Furthermore, it
is equipped with a special sample holder which allows to polish the small
face sides of several inch long single crystals.
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| Laue camera |
Diamond wheel saw |
Automated polisher |
Last Modified: Friday, 14-Oct-2005 11:11:58 EDT
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