REECOB: 20 years of rare earth element calcium oxoborates crystal growth research

Rare earth element calcium oxoborates (REECOB, REECa4O[BO3](3)) represent a group of materials for non-linear optics and with useful piezoelectric properties under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions making it applicable as sensor materials in extreme environments. High-quality crystals with appropriate size are generally grown from a melt by the Czochralski method. This paper presents a compilation and comparison of crystal growth parameters and properties of members of the REECOB group from the literature with those of own growth experiments. Recent studies provided new data concerning the melting temperature of REECOB members, such as ca. 1475 degrees C for SmCa4O(BO3)(3) (SmCOB). (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.