Investigations on stoichiometry and melting behavior of NaY(WO4)2

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were carried out to understand the melting behavior of the NaY(WO4)2, an important functional material used for the laser production. It has been observed that the stoichiometric NaY(WO4)2 composition forms a solution with another phase of the Na2WO4-Y2(WO4)3 pseudo-binary system. This is found to be detrimental for the growth of single crystals of the material. Therefore, molar fraction in the starting charge was suitably altered to successfully restrict the formation of the undesired phase in the melt. A composition is suggested for the favorable crystal growth of this material. (author)