Crystal growth of REMn2Si2 (RE = Y, Er) by a Pb flux method

Single crystals of REMn2Si2 (RE: Y, Er) (tetragonal, S.G.: 14/mmm) were grown from a high-temperature lead metal flux by slowly cooling the melt under an argon atmosphere. The growth conditions for large crystals were established. The YMn2Si2 and ErMn2Si2 single crystals, having silver-gray and metallic luster, were obtained as thin plates with well-developed (0 0 1) faces. The largest crystals have maximum dimensions of about 2 x 2 x 0.02 mm(3). As-grown YMn2Si2 and ErMn2Si2 single crystals were subjected to chemical analyses and measurements of the unit cell parameters. The results areas follows: for Y0.88Mn1.81Si2 a = 0.3922(1)nm, c = 1.0451(1)nm, V = 160.8(1) x 10(-3) nm(3): for Er0.86Mn2.12Si2, a = 0.3896(1) nm, c = 1.0415(3)nm, V = 158.1(1) x 10(-3) nm(3). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.