The Influence of the Hydrodynamic Environment on the Growth and the Formation of Liquid Inclusions in Large Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP) Crystals

Abstract

Abstract The influence of the hydrodynamic environment on the growth phenomena of large potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals has been investigated in a three vessel system. Special attention was paid to the onset of inclusion formation. Flow visualization experiments carried out in a wind tunnel showed that the flow formed at the rear (downstream) faces of the crystal (i.e. the wake) is a more or less closed circulation system. It appeared that veils of liquid inclusions are not a result of starvation in the laminar boundary layer, as suggested before, but of depletion in the closed wake at the rear.