Floating-zone growth of CrB2 single crystals

Single crystals of CrB2 up to 2.4 cm in diameter were prepared by the floating-zone method with radio-frequency induction heating. The electromagnetic coupling between the work coil and the sample, i.e. the heating efficiency, was improved by 40% by preparing the thick crystal rod at a higher feed rate of the feed sintered rod. Under these improved growth conditions, the heating power was proportional to the crystal diameter. The CrB2 crystal was used as a substrate for epitaxial growth of gallium nitride and aluminum nitride. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.