Features of the melt-solution synthesis of the TbCr3(BO3)4 single crystals

The phase formation of terbium chromoborate TbCr3(BO3)4 in the bismuth trimolybdate and lithium tungstate melt-solutions has been studied. The absence of the terbium chromoborate trigonal phase in the bismuth trimolybdate-based system at all component ratios has been shown. The component ratio in the lithium tungstate-based system has been found at which the TbCr3(BO3)4 trigonal crystals are formed at temperatures above 1100 degrees C; below this temperature, the monoclinic phase dominates. The structural and magnetic properties of the grown crystals have been studied. It has been established that the trigonal and monoclinic TbCr3(BO3)4 crystals synthesized from the lithium tungstate-based solvent exhibit identical magnetic properties. At the same time, a significant difference of the magnetic properties of the single crystals synthesized from the bismuth molybdate melt-solution has been observed. This difference has been attributed to the effect of Bi3+ ions that partially replace Tb3+ ions.