Crystal Growth
Description
With our extensive in-house crystal growth capabilities, we produce and deliver the highest quality optical materials you can buy. The choice of crystal growth method depends on the material and the desired properties.
Our crystal growth processes include:
Czochralski Growth
The Czochralski technique is widely used in the production of crystals for the semiconductor and laser industries. It is well-suited for the growth of many types of large oxide crystals, includinglithium niobate. A furnace is used to melt the raw materials contained within a crucible. Although the temperatures are dependent on the material in production, conditions of over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon. The crystal starts from a small seed, which is then slowly pulled upwards while rotating. The boule grows as the furnace temperature is reduced, often with computer control of the temperature, rotation, and translation.
Horizontal Gradient Freeze
In the Horizontal Gradient Freeze method, the crystal is grown from a seed by slowly shifting the temperature gradient in a multi-zone furnace while leaving the crystal stationary. This allows the crystal to be grown with less mechanical vibration than methods where the crystal is translated through a furnace. In many cases the crystals are grown in sealed ampoules to contain the pressure generated upon heating the constituent materials. Transparent furnaces may be used to allow the seeding and growth to be visually monitored. Inrad Optics uses Horizontal Gradient Freeze to grow ZGP crystals.
Top-Seeded Solution Growth
The Top-Seeded Solution Growth method facilitates production of crystals which cannot be grown directly from their own liquid phase. By use of a suitable flux, the desired material may be grown from a solution. The configuration of the equipment is often similar to Czochralski with modifications to the furnace. This is the preferred method for growth of large, high-quality BBO crystal.
Low Temperature Solution Growth
Materials which can be readily dissolved in water or an organic solvent at conditions near room temperature may be produced via Low Temperature Solution Growth. The standard configuration for this method places a seed crystal on a seed holder within a tank, all contained within a larger water bath. The tank is filled with the solution, the assembly is sealed to prevent evaporation, and the temperature of the water bath is then cooled at a controlled rate. With the proper equipment and optimized conditions, it is possible to grow extremely large crystals. Inrad Optics has experience growing a wide range of materials from low-temperature solutions. Current materials in production include KD*P(grown in D2O “heavy water”), ultraviolet filter crystals, and the organic crystal stilbene.
Crystal Growth
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Frequently Asked Questions
Crystal growth is the process of producing crystals with desired properties from raw materials.
The Czochralski growth method is a widely used technique for growing crystals, especially large oxide crystals like lithium niobate. It involves melting raw materials in a furnace and slowly pulling a seed crystal upwards while rotating it.
In the Horizontal Gradient Freeze method, the crystal is grown by shifting the temperature gradient in a multi-zone furnace while keeping the crystal stationary. This method reduces mechanical vibration and can be visually monitored using transparent furnaces.
The Top-Seeded Solution Growth method is used to grow crystals that cannot be directly grown from their own liquid phase. It involves using a suitable flux to grow the desired material from a solution.
Low Temperature Solution Growth is a method used to produce crystals that can be dissolved in water or an organic solvent at near room temperature. It involves cooling a seed crystal in a solution within a water bath at a controlled rate to grow large crystals.