Researchers at the Institute for Materials Research at Tohoku University have made a significant advancement in the field of materials science. Assoc. Prof. Yuui Yokota and Prof. Akira Yoshikawa have developed a ground-breaking new technology. This development provides more opportunities for the growth of semiconductor single crystals at temperatures exceeding 2,200°C. This breakthrough hopes to improve performance for such key materials as those used in semiconductors, optical devices, scintillators and piezoelectric materials.
This novel method employs a W (tungsten) crucible to withstand high temperatures. By employing it, it addresses one of the longest standing challenges in current state crystal growth techniques. Conventional single crystals, like those grown for the electronics and optics industries, cannot withstand similarly extreme high temperatures. This constant exposure threatens their integrity and consequently their performance.
Details of the Technology
This technology incorporates a deoxygenated insulator. Consequently, it significantly increases the capability of growing complex oxide single crystals with high melting point stability. Continuing research showed the inadequacy of the available scintillator single crystals. The primary aspects of those materials that researchers were especially concerned with are their melting points and band gaps.
In their realized research published in Scientific Reports, Yokota and Yoshikawa outline the promising uses of their new materials. The DOI for their study is 10.1038/s41598-025-12535-0. Their results show that the emerging technology is capable of producing an era of unique, unconventional materials. These materials are suited for diverse uses in many sectors.
“These are exciting results, because it means we can create a plethora of new materials for a wide range of applications.” – Yoshikawa
Overcoming Previous Limitations
Historically, tungsten has had a difficult time performing well in high-temperature environments because it’s prone to chemical reactivity with oxide materials. While this limits the temperature range, this reaction runs the risk of contaminating the final product with undesired elements.
Yokota touched further on this point. He explained that tungsten had not been successful until now because of its chemical reactivity with oxide materials. As shocking as this revelation is, it underscores the groundbreaking aspects of their technology. These remarkable developments have led to a renaissance of tungsten crucible use in high-temperature single crystal growth.
Furthermore, Yokota noted that contamination from tungsten could lead to significant issues: “It can get mixed in with the crystal—which contaminates the final product.” As such, by successfully overcoming these challenges, the researchers have laid the groundwork for a new era of high-performance materials.
Future Implications and Applications
The repercussions of this technology go far beyond just getting past temperature restrictions. Developing techniques for growing complex oxide single crystals opens up intriguing new avenues for materials research. This significant development reverberates across multiple disciplines, especially in electronics, optics, and energy storage.
Yokota and Yoshikawa’s research centers on developing innovative materials that are resistant to harsh environments. This work has already created remarkable momentum and is poised to continue making impacts for years to come. Their efforts not only hold great potential for improving technologies that already exist, but spur new applications in which their use is breakthrough.