  Ce3+ doped oxide materials are promising for optical emission in the green
spectral range. The growth of CaSc2O4:Ce3+ single crystals is reported here for
the first time. Laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) proved to be suitable for
this refractive material, if performed in nitrogen of 99.999% purity. If the
oxygen content of the growth atmosphere is substantially larger, Ce4+ is
formed, which shows no useful optical emission. If the oxygen content is
substantially lower, severe evaporation of calcium impedes stable crystal
growth. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations allowed to describe evaporation
of species and cerium dopant charging under different growth conditions. The
evaporation could be investigated by quadrupole mass spectrometry of emanating
gases and by chemical analysis of fibers with ICP-OES. The congruent melting
point was confirmed by DTA at 2110 degrees centigrade. Photoluminescence
spectrometry of fibers revealed the dependence of optical emission in the green
spectral range on growth conditions.
