Growth and Morphology of β–FeSi₂ Single Crystal with Chemical Vapor Transport

Single crystals of β–FeSi₂ have been grown from vapor by employing chemical vapor transport technique and using iodine as transport agent in a closed ampoule. In the experiment, β–FeSi₂ single crystals with well-developed faces and edges have been observed on the silicon substrate, but no needlelike ones have been found. The changes in the size and the geometric shape of the growth ampoule and temperature gradient are primary factors which result in the variation on β–FeSi₂ single crystal morphology.