Abstract
Composite polycrystals including ${\gamma}$-$6Bi_2O_3$.$SiO_2$ crystal which have needlelike regular structure are useful for the high resolution optical devices. For the purpose of obtaining the composite polycrystals described above the melts of eutectic composition in the three eutectic systems including $6Bi_2O_3$.$SiO_2$ composition were unidirectionally solidified at a rate of 0.05 and 0.25 cm/h under a thermal gradient of 10$0^{\circ}C$/m. Composite polycrystals of relatively regular structure in which needlelike ${\gamma}$-$6Bi_2O_3$.$SiO_2$ crystals were arrayed in parallel with $2Bi_2O_3$.$B_2O_3$ crystal matrix were obtained when the eutectic melt of $6Bi_2O_3$.$SiO_2 -2Bi_2O_3$.$B_2O_3$ system was solidified at a rate of 0.25 cm/h. Partial structural irregularity however was found in the obtained composite polycrystals.
