Polariscopic Characterization of Sapphire and Spinel.
Abstract
Research on new materials demands sophisticated concurrent characterization not only to optimize fabrication parameters, but also to insure future quality control. The use of polarized light in a modified polariscope has been used to characterize transparent ingots of sapphire (Al2O3) and spinel (MgAl2O4). Since sapphire is birefringent, the spatial distribution of grain boundaries is easily monitored and can be related to the processing parameters; several examples of cracked and uncracked sapphire disks are presented. Further, the use of the polariscope is also valuable for the characterization of cubic materials like spinel. Grain boundaries cannot be observed as with sapphire, but the distribution of strain birefringence in the ingots provides useful processing modification data. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0741810
Entities
People
- James W. McCauley
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory