Tailoring high-quality germanium crystal via high magnetic field

M Meilong Feng (State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,) C Congjiang Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,) Z Zhuolin Li B Bangfei Zhou (State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,) Z Zhe Shen (Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California) Q Qiang Li B Biao Ding (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University) P Peijian Shi (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University) Z Zhongze Lin (State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,) W Weili Ren (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University) W Wenhao Lin T Tianxiang Zheng (College of Science) Y Yunbo Zhong (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University)

Abstract

High-quality germanium single crystals are vital for infrared and semiconductor applications but are plagued by melt convection during growth. This study demonstrates that applying a 10 T high magnetic field during directional solidification stabilizes the solid–liquid interface and reduces dislocation density by over 35%. The resulting crystals exhibit significantly higher electrical resistivity and an 89% improvement in infrared transmittance. This method provides a practical ground-based route to achieving microgravity-like growth conditions for superior germanium crystals.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 11
Published March 16, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

M

Meilong Feng

State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,

C

Congjiang Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,

Z

Zhuolin Li

B

Bangfei Zhou

State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,

Z

Zhe Shen

Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California

Q

Qiang Li

B

Biao Ding

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University

P

Peijian Shi

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University

Z

Zhongze Lin

State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University , 200444 Shanghai,

W

Weili Ren

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University

W

Wenhao Lin

T

Tianxiang Zheng

College of Science

Y

Yunbo Zhong

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferromletallurgy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University