Vibrational study of the liquid structure of molten Bismuth Germanate (Bi12GeO20).

Abstract Temperature dependent Raman scattering experiments (up to ∼ 980 °C) have been conducted with heating and cooling samples of Bismuth Germanate (Bi 12 GeO 20) in order to determine its liquid structure and the relevant consequences for crystal growth. The results show that the melt is much richer than could be concluded from X-ray studies. The melt is comprised of large molecules consisting of interlinked units of GeO 4 tetrahedrons and oxygen coordinated Bi-centered structures. The size of the molecules is reduced with increasing temperature. Melting occurs when Bi-centered structures connected to the same GeO 4 tetrahedron unbound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]