Multifuctional materials, especially multiferroics, have attracted much attention attributable to their coexistence and mutual interaction of magnetic and electric orders. However, ferroelectricity and magnetic ordering are often mutually exclusive, which leads to the rarity of materials exhibiting both properties. On the other hand, large single crystals of advanced functional materials are necessary for detailed physical property measurements. This is particularly true with low symmetric systems, such as polar oxides. LiFeP₂O₇ and LiCrP₂O₇, both crystallize in polar structures with the monoclinic space group P2₁ (No. 4). Meanwhile, Fe³⁺ and Cr³⁺ are magnetic ions. The coexistence of the magnetic order with the electrical polarization makes LiFeP₂O₇ and LiCrP₂O₇ interesting candidates for studying the magnetoelectric coupling in electrically polarized materials. Using a flux growth method, we have grown centimeter size crystals of new polar materials - LiFeP₂O₇ (Figure 1), and LiCrP₂O₇. SHG, piezoelectricity, and polarization were measured. In addition, the magnetic, thermodynamic, and pyroelectric properties of oriented single crystals are investigated. Crystal growth details and functional property measurements will be described.

Figure 1.  LiFeP₂O₇ single crystal

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1. Single Crystal Growth, Characterization, and Properties of Multifunctional Materials LiMP₂O₇ (M = Fe, Cr)
2. Top-seeded solution crystal growth of polar materials: design strategies and functional properties