Growth study and characterization of KDP crystals grown by 2D translation method

Transparent potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals that are grown from different translational velocities and orientation configurations were obtained during growth through a novel motion mode called 2D translation method. The grown crystals were investigated by microhardness, dielectric, chemical etching, thermal analysis and laser damage threshold studies. A higher mechanical hardness is observed in crystals grown by the 2D translation method than that grown by the rotating-crystal method. Low dielectric loss and less dislocation density show that the 2D translation method grown crystals contain minimum defects. The thermal stability and damage threshold of the 2D translation method grown crystals are higher than those of the crystal grown using the rotating-crystal method. Moreover, the properties of various crystals grown by the 2D translation method under different conditions are compared, and results show that the grown crystals' quality is best when the translation velocity is 0.04 m/s.