Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.311, No.6, 1529-1532, 2009
Features of the KGd(WO4)(2):Nd3+ single-crystal growth control
Possibilities of growing KGd(WO4)(2):Nd3+ (KGW:Nd3+) single crystals from K2W2O7 solution by the modified Czochralski method is considered. A stable change of flux-melt supersaturation value in different stages of the growth process is the basis of the technique proposed here. Crystallization rates in different crystallographic directions and relationships between them are calculated for this purpose. As a result, we have shown that by determination of the supersaturation value and by controlling a number of hardly predictable destabilizing factors that negatively influence the real crystal quality, achieving a required accuracy is possible. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.