Light Scattering in KDP Crystals and Relaxation Oscillations of Diffusion Layer in Crystal Growth from Solutions

The problem of achieving high optical quality of crystals (KDP monocrystals in particular) grown from solutions under conditions of periodic feeding is considered. The experimental data obtained for rapid profiled growth of KDP crystals have demonstrated a pronounced dependence of crystal quality (light scattering) on feeding parameters: period and duty cycle of feeding, feeder height above the growing surface, and feeding intensity. The theoretical analysis has shown that these effects can be explained within the framework of diffusion layer relaxation at periodic feeding in the diffusion-kinetic regime of crystal growth.