Morphology and formation mechanism of metallic inclusions in VB-grown sapphire crystals

Morphologies of metallic inclusions observed in sapphire crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman (VB) technique using a tungsten (W) crucible were investigated. Square- or hexagonal-shaped inclusions 2-5 mu m in size were observed in sapphire crystals around the interface between the seed and the grown crystal. It was found that such inclusions consisted of W metal used for the crucible. The morphology of some of the inclusions reflects a rhombic dodecahedron which is based on the cubic structure of W and is surrounded by {110} faces. It is probable that inclusions form in the sapphire melt during the crystal growth process, and then sink in the melt to the growth interface due to the high density of W. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.JOURNAL OF CRYSTAL GROWTH. 401:388-391 (2014)journal articl