Crystal growth
The IMM uses a number of special furnaces to grow metallic crystals with defined orientation from a melt. The procedure is based on the Bridgman–Stockbarger technique in combination with monocrystalline seed crystals of the desired orientation. Different types of single- and bicrystals in macroscopic size are produced this way and form the basis for further experimental investigations. Aluminum, copper, magnesium and zinc with high purity are available as source materials.
Application:
- Fabrication of single- and bicrystals
- Crystallographic orientation can be defined with high precision
Technical data:
- Maximum temperature of the furnace: T=900°C
- Growth rate: 0.5-3cm/h
- Maximum size of the crystals: l=5-15cm, Ø=1-4cm
- Possible materials: Al, Cu, Mg and Zn