Investigation of the Growth Rate Formula and Bulk Laser Damage Threshold KDP Crystal Growth from Aqueous Solution by the Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy (SR) Method.

A system is reported for evaporation-controlled crystal growth of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) from aqueous solution by the Sankaranarayanan−Ramasamy (SR) method. KDP (KH2PO4) single crystals of 10-, 20-, and 40-mm diameter and 60-mm height have been grown at an average growth rate of 5 mm/day from the point seed in a glass crystallizer. The growth rate formula is derived for the SR method. The grown crystals were characterized by UV−vis, laser Raman, second harmonic generation efficiency, and laser damage threshold studies. The SR method is an efficient method to grow crystals of good optical quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]