Systematic rare Earth doping to adopt an R 32 type huntite structure in NdSc 3 (BO 3 ) 4 crystals.

This study is focused on determining the type and quantity of REE impurities responsible for converting the structure of NdSc 3 (BO 3 ) 4 into an R 32 polymorph. According to the single crystal X-ray diffraction of R x Nd y Sc z (BO 3 ) 4 (R = Sm-Lu, x + y + z = 4) the samples probably contain several polymorphic modifications. However, the predominant structure has been defined as R 32 for R = Eu, Er, Tm, and Yb and P 3 2 21 for R = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho. Another potential limitation to the future use of the crystals is a compositional zoning found in the crystals with significant substitution in the scandium position.