CONTEXT

Segregation of chemical species during solidification of alloys is a well known problem which leads to defects in the material and is largely prejudicial to electronic properties of semi conductors or optical properties of lasers and scintillators. Moreover composition variations lead to microstructure defects detrimental to the growth of single crystals and in some cases leading to breakdown of the samples. There is a need for a simple process aiming at producing highly alloyed materials without  cracks in the crystal and showing high radial and longitudinal homogeneity with an acceptable cristallisation  speed (mm/h).

The well known  « Bridgman » method does not fulfill these requirements (cracks and lack of homogeneity)