Peculiarities of the growth of disordered Na, R-fluorite (R=Y, Ce–Lu) single crystals

Abstract Single crystals of rare-earth ions doped over a wide concentration range Na 0.4 R 0.6 F 2.2 (R=Y, Lu) have been grown by the Bridgman technique. Temperature fields in the growth zone were investigated and modified for obtaining high optical quality crystals of this type. Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectra were measured for the undoped crystal hosts. Some spectroscopic features of the Ce 3+ -doped Na 0.4 Lu 0.6 F 2.2 crystals were determined.