Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Cr³⁺ doped large single crystals of YAl₃(BO₃)₄ were grown by spontaneous crystallisation and by top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) from a K₂Mo₃O₁₀ and B₂O₃ flux. The crystals were grown in <0001> orientation with cooling rate 2.4°C/day. The small crystals grown by spontaneous nucleation usually had simple needle shape, while the large crystals grown by TSSG method had either isometrical habit or tabular one. The results suggest that the extremely large pinacoid faces appearing in the case of YAB:Cr³⁺ growth are due to a high temperature gradient in the flux, and evaporation of the solution. The lattice structure of crystals checked by powder X-ray diffraction is isomorphous to YAB with space group R32. The dependence of crystal habits and growth conditions is discussed.

Keywords: growth, morphology, yttrium-aluminium borate, top-seeded solution growth, lattice parameters, NYAB

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