Homogeneity of elastic properties of lanthanum gallium silicate crystals

Abstract

The ample prospects of growing the crystals of langasite family with diameter up to 85 mm have not been realized completely because of the absence of effective crystal quality testing methods. Efforts of researchers have largely concentrated on the development of concrete components for piezoelectric technique and acoustic electronics. But at serial production of the devices the manufacturers constantly collide the problems of the properties non-uniformity in a bulk of a crystal (repeatability of parameters) and a spread in technical parameters when the crystals from different suppliers are used. These phenomena are connected with the fact that the properties of langasite crystals change considerably depending on initial chemical components purity, technology of crystalline blend preparation and growth conditions. Using the method for testing the properties uniformity will speed up the development of langasite growth technology and will ensure the release of the items on the basis of this mineral on an industrial scale.