Hydrodynamic Control of Solution Inclusion During Crystal Growth of KTiOPO₄ (KTP) from High-Temperature Solution

Reprinted from Journal of Crystal Growth, 96, Bordui, Peter F. and Motakef, Shahryar, Hydrodynamic Control of Solution Inclusion During Crystal Growth of KTiOPO₄ (KTP) From High-Temperature Solution, 405-412, 1989, with permission from Elsevier Science.

Abstract

An experimental program used in establishing a preferred configuration for orientation and rotation of KTiOPO₄ crystals growing from solution in K₆P₄O₁₃ is reported. The previously-reported growth process uses a seeded, slow-cooling technique and a heat-pipe based furnace system. The configuration established for crystal orientation and rotation enables reproducible growth of large crystals which are free from solution inclusion flawing. The experimental program involved crystal growth runs and room-temperature flow simulations which were correlated through qualitative consideration of the solution inclusion mechanism. Results indicate that inclusion flawing during high-temperature solution growth of KTiOPO₄ is related to non-uniformities in the supersaturation field across the surfaces of the growing crystal resulting from the presence of stable recirculating cells in the fluid flow pattern.