LiGaS₂ crystal growth under low temperature gradient conditions by the modified Bridgman method

LiGaS₂ (LGS) is a promising nonlinear optical material for the generation of coherent radiation in the mid IR range. However, the production of large crystals of optical quality is complicated by the strong incongruent evaporation of volatile components at the temperatures above melting point. Such evaporation leads to deviations from the crystal stoichiometry during the growth process. In this paper the value of the LGS melt superheating in classical Bridgman–Stockbarger method was determined using the mathematical modeling. On the other hand, we designed a modified furnace and tested it: This allowed us to decrease the melt superheating down to 5 K.