Crystal growth and properties of the non-centrosymmetric superconductor, Ru7B3

We describe the crystal growth of high quality single crystals of the non-centrosymmetric superconductor, Ru7B3 by the floating zone technique, using an optical furnace equipped with xenon arc lamps. The crystals obtained are large and suitable for detailed measurements, and have been examined using x-ray Laue patterns. The superconducting properties of the crystals obtained have been investigated by magnetisation and resistivity measurements. Crystals have also been grown starting with enriched 11B isotope, making them suitable for neutron scattering experiments.