Madrid lab seeks crystal growth co-operation
The team sees new applications for such crystal materials as radiation detectors, filters, electro-optic switches, optic memories and laser emission. The group offers its technical assistance in using the process.
The equipment is based on the Czochralski growth technique. The Czochralski furnace equipment developed consists in a compact set-up to grow a great variety of single crystals, like lithium niobate, oxides, alkali halides, fluorides (with control atmosphere) and other materials. All the equipment is controlled by a personal computer that monitors all the growth process.
The set-up contains a typical PID (proportional, integral, derivative) process control program and an innovative fuzzy-logic control program, also developed in the lab. All the phases of the growth process can be controlled, such as the shoulder formation and the diameter of the crystal. The furnace works up to 1400C.
A modified liquid phase epitaxy furnace could be used to implement the technology. A prototype/demonstrator is available for testing. Patents have been granted. The group has more than 20 years of experience in materials technology.
Also on offer is the preparation of either bulk oriented/polished samples of pure and doped/co-doped single crystals of LiNbO3. For other materials such as oxides and semiconductors, they offer scientific collaboration in terms of research and growth processes.
Contact M Eugenia Garces