Crystal Growth and Magnetic Properties of BaCo2V2O8

Single crystals of BaCo 2 V 2 O 8 were grown in a furnace with a high vertical temperature gradient using spontaneous nucleation method at a slow cooling rate. The crystals exhibit a characteristic morphology with growth lines, crystal veins, and the original nucleus at the center. The quality and good single crystallinity of the crystal are confirmed using X-ray powder diffraction and Laue technique. Magnetic and heat capacity measurements show that this crystal exhibits a transition from one-dimensional magnetic behavior into three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering at ∼5 K. An exotic magnetic anisotropy is also observed.