Growth of single crystals of YB2 by a flux method

YB2 crystals with cross-sections of several square millimeters were prepared using Y flux in a pyrolytic BN crucible by a flux method. The as-grown crystals have good structural properties. The electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of YB2 were measured. It is shown that YB2 is a paramagnetic compound and above 20 K the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility in YB2 obeys well with the Curie-Weiss law. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.