Phase Diagrams for Flux Growth

Because phase transformation is always involved in flux growth, phase diagrams provide valuable information on the proper techniques and procedures for growing the desired crystals. This chapter starts with discussions on the features of a binary eutectic phase diagram that are relevant to flux growth, and then moves on to describe the various examples of eutectic systems, incongruently melting compounds, solid solutions, and effects of oxygen partial pressure on oxidation state. Instead of delving into the thermodynamic foundations of phase diagrams, an intuitive approach is used throughout the chapter to discuss the phase diagrams most frequently encountered by flux growers. The chapter ends with discussions on various techniques of determining phase diagrams, which are sometimes used by the flux grower to define the optimum growth conditions for new systems.