Sample Synthesis: How to grow a Crystal in a Million Years or Less

Synopsis

Many of the most beautiful and valuable formations found on earth are those of single crystalline structures, which can take millions of years to develop naturally. By understanding the mechanisms by which solids become perfectly ordered during formation, carefully controlled processes in the lab can create crystals to be used in a wide array of experimental applications, whether they act as the target for a laser experiment or only as an optical element in a beam line. In this talk, we will explore the physics behind crystal formation and show examples of how sample synthesis is performed for the lab setting, including flux growth, hydrothermal, and laser deposition techniques.