Abstract:
Results of successful experiments on the growth of gallium oxide ($\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$) crystals by the Czochralski method are reported. The influence of growth atmosphere on the crystalline perfection of obtained material has been studied. It established that high-quality transparent optical crystals can be obtained provided the atmosphere contains about 5 vol% oxygen. As-grown $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction and optical transmission measurements.