The growth of single crystal lithium-aluminum, 7LiAl

Single crystal lithium-aluminum has been prepared as chemically and isotopically pure 7LiAl. Growth has been by the Stockbarger technique in a low-pressure bomb. Pyrolytic boron nitride crucibles have proven to be nonreactive and noncontaminating containers for pyrometallurgial synthesis and for crystal growth from the melt. The chemical and physical quality of the monocrystalline boules have been documented. The lattice constant varies with composition across the β-phase and can be used as a probe to evaluate stoichiometry and phase homogeneity.