Optical homogeneity of ADP crystals from rapid growth

ADP (NH₄H₂PO₄) crystals were grown through the traditional method and rapid growth technology. The optical homogeneity of rapid grown ADP crystals was analyzed by laser interferometry and X-ray topography. Laser interferometry revealed sector boundaries at which optical homogeneity decreased dramatically. The main defects that seriously reduced the optical homogeneity of the rapid grown ADP crystal were sector boundaries, growth bands and inclusions. The concentration of Fe and Cr impurities was tested by a plasma emission spectrometer. It was found that the preferential incorporation of metallic impurities into the prismatic faces resulted in high density of growth bands and inclusions, thus reducing optical homogeneity of the prismatic sector.