A single crystal of europium doped YSH was grown by the optical floating zone method for the first time. The scientists of the Shanghai University grew the crystal with a nominal composition of Hf₀.₈₆Y₀.₁₃Eu₀.₀₁O₁.₉₃ under air atmosphere in a vertical double-ellipsoid mirror furnace (SciDre HKZ), equipped with 6500 W Xe arc lamp as heating source. They determined the materials photoluminescence and scintillation properties and brought them into perspective with Lu₂O₃:Eu.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009261419308978