Rapid growth of large size KDP crystal by temperature reduction method

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) and its deuterated analog are the crystals primarily selected for Pockel’s cells or frequency conversion plates in inertial confinement fusion systems. Crystals rapidly grown from point seed by temperature reduction method are presented. The growth of large size crystals including the designation of big vessel, crystal holder and seed-planting under over-heating systems are introduced. Crystals with size up to 50 cm×50 cm×41 cm were obtained successfully. It is shown that crystals grown at rapid growth rate,15 mm/day the average, possess the optimal transmission properties as those grown by conventional method. The content of impurity ions, such as Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+ that affect the prismatic faces of KDP are determined