Seed Crystal Growth Device with Protective Member and Blocking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing growth devices for producing large single crystals like KDP or DKDP lack a protective system that prevents seed crystal interference during solution growth, leading to unstable crystal growth and interference issues due to external disturbances and inadequate seed protection during under-saturation treatment.
Innovation Solution
A growth device with a protective member that encloses the seed crystal during solution treatment and releases a growth zone between planar support and blocking faces, allowing controlled lateral growth of a single crystal, preventing seed contact with the solution during filling and under-saturation treatment, and enabling the production of plate-shaped crystals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seed crystal is exposed to the crystallisation solution during filling and under-saturation treatment, then the solution can be processed, but the seed crystal is dissolved and interference occurs during growth
Solution Approach 1:
A protective member is introduced as an intermediary element between the seed crystal and the crystallisation solution. This protective member allows the solution to be filled and treated without direct contact with the seed, preventing dissolution while enabling necessary solution processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member is placed on the seed crystal before the crystallisation solution is filled into the growth device. This preliminary protection ensures the seed remains intact during the under-saturation treatment phase, and the protective member is removed only after the solution is ready for growth.
2Reliability
If the seed crystal is protected during solution filling, then the seed is protected from dissolution, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is designed as a simple shell or cover that can be easily placed and removed. This flexible protective structure provides effective seed protection during solution filling without adding significant complexity to the overall device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the crystal growth is free and unconstrained, then the crystal can develop naturally, but the crystal orientation and shape cannot be controlled for specific applications
Solution Approach 1:
The growth device incorporates a blocking element with a blocking face that creates localized constraints on the crystal growth. This allows natural development in certain directions while preventing growth in specific orientations, enabling precise control over the final crystal shape and orientation for particular applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows dynamic adjustment of growth constraints through the blocking element positioning. The system can transition between constrained and unconstrained growth states, adapting the growth pattern based on the specific crystal application requirements while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively protects the seed crystal from solution disturbances, maintains solution stability, and facilitates the growth of plate-shaped single crystals by constraining growth in specific directions, enhancing production efficiency and reducing interference.
Implementation Method 1
a protective member for protecting the seed crystal, configured to protect said seed from the crystallisation solution during a treatment phase
Implementation Method 2
the crystal grows by consuming excess salt in the solution
Implementation Method 3
The crystal growth rate depends on the over-saturation level of the solution, which can be controlled by lowering the solution temperature or evaporating the solvent
Implementation Method 4
a blocking element comprising a blocking face, the blocking face being disposed at a predefined distance from the support face so as to block growth of the single crystal in a substantially perpendicular direction to the support face
Implementation Method 5
configured to protect said seed from the crystallisation solution during a treatment phase and to release a growth zone disposed between the support face and the blocking face upon rotating the support element
Data Source
AI summary
A device for growing a flat single crystal from a seed in a crystallization solution. A support element has a support face; a blocking element comprising a blocking face, positioned at a predefined distance from the support face to block the growth of the single crystal in a direction perpendicular to the support face; a seed protection member, configured to protect the seed during a crystallization solution treatment phase and to free a growth zone positioned between the support face and the blocking face during a rotation of the support element; the blocking element comprises a holding member that cooperates with the protection member, the holding member being movable between a first position where it holds the protection member against the support face during the treatment phase and a second position where the holding member is separated from the protection member and participates in the formation of the blocking face.