Impact of impurities on the α-LiIO3 crystal growth: Technique for measuring the “dead zone”

Abstract

Lithium iodate (α-LiIO₃) single crystal is a promising nonlinear optical material, which used for efficient laser radiation conversion in the visible and near-IR regions. A technique for measuring the “dead zone” (ΔТ_dz) of LiIO₃ solutions has been developed; data on the impact of Fe(IO₃)₂, AgIO₃, CsOH, H₃PO₄, and methyl methacrylate on the growth of the (100) face of α-LiIO₃ crystals have been presented; and the dependences of the nucleation and motion of single steps on the degree of supersaturation have been measured. It is shown that the ΔТ_dz value makes it possible to estimate the validity of solutions for growing α-LiIO₃ crystals. The results of measuring the face growth rates and step velocities for KDP and α-LiIO₃ crystals are compared.