HYDROTHERMAL GROWTH OF LARGE RUBY SINGLE CRYSTALS. PHASE 1
Abstract
Studies of the hydrothermal growth of ruby crystals involved solubility of Al2O3 in K2CO3 as a function of pressure (5,000 - 30,000 psi), temperature (400 - 600 C) and mineralizer content (2 - 7 m). The solubility of Al2O3 increased with increasing molality and temperature but was essentially independent of pressure. Solubilities of 2-9 WT% Al2O3 were observed under the preceding conditions. Growth rate increased with temperature and solvent concentration but exhibited a very rapid increase with pressure at about 15,000 psi. This was due apparently to a transition from a two-phase fluid below 15,000 psi to a single-phase fluid above this pressure. Growth of high quality crystals was found to be dependent upon seed source, seed orientation and warm-up procedure. The highest quality growth was obtained when molten salt plates were used as seeds. Conditions established for growth of good quality crystals at reasonable rate are: 6m K2CO3 as solvent, 25,000 psi, crystallization temperature 525 deg C and nutrient temperature 530 deg C. From crystals grown by these procedures, several rods were fabricated into laser rods.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0476679
Entities
People
- J. W. Nielsen
- Peter Wegesser
- Richard C. Puttbach
- Roch R. Monchamp