Growth and Spectroscopic and Magnetic Properties of TbCr3(BO3)4 Crystals

We have studied and optimized conditions for spontaneous flux growth of TbCr3(BO3)4 crystals. Phase relations in the pseudoternary system TbCr3(BO3)4–K2Mo3O10–B2O3 have been studied in the temperature range 900–1130°C and the single-phase terbium chromium borate crystallization field has been mapped out. It has been shown that increasing the TbCr3(BO3)4 content of the starting high-temperature solution leads to a rhombohedral-to-monoclinic phase transition. Using K2Mo3O10-based high-temperature solutions, we have grown single-phase TbCr3(BO3)4 single crystals or crystals in which the rhombohedral phase (sp. gr. R32) significantly prevails over the monoclinic phase (sp. gr. C2/c). The grown crystals have been characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques, IR spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements.