Single crystals fiber technology design. Where we are today?

Because of its performed mechanical, physical and optical properties, today single crystal fiber shape (SCFS) can be used for a large wide of application. As a function of the needed, it can be used as active or passive element in the component. The potential of single crystal fiber is extremely high. Intensive research has been devoted to design and optimize the technology process, but the increased technological requirements require continuous improvements at all stages of the fiber design: Fiber processing (growth fiber machine), starting raw materials, crucibles, growth direction, thermal gradient, gas atmosphere, fibers polishing, dopants segregation, packaging. This is demonstrated by the successful fiber pulling from the melt of more than 1 m length of sapphire, YAG and LuAG with performed properties. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.