Continuous quantum phase transitions which occur at zero temperature at a socalled quantum critical point (QCP) are of current interest in solid state physics. These transitions are caused by collective quantum fluctuations between competing ground states. Low temperature measurements of Steppke and coworkers indicate the existence of a ferromagnetic QCP in YbNi₄(P_1-xAs_x)₂ [1]. For further investigation of this long-sought phenomenon, high quality single crystals are needed.

The growth of the unsubstituted compound YbNi₄P₂ in a Ni-P self-flux is performed in a moveable Bridgman furnace. To get large crystals and to prevent the formation of impurity phases the optimization of the growth conditions such as composition of the melt, growth time and temperature is necessary. Here, we report on the details and the first results of our optimization procedure.

[1] A.Steppke et al., Science 339, 933-936 (2013)

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