Crystal synthesis inside a vacuum?
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- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2018 6:28 pm
- Real name: Jess Williams
Crystal synthesis inside a vacuum?
Would it be possible to ionize an ultra-fine powder of some crystal (quartz, iron pyrite, bismuth, ect.) and make a crystal form on the negative electrode? Most take a dehydration synthesis in order to attach the molecules together but i'm sure there are molecules that when in the absence of other molecules would attach on the spot and form a more pure crystal lattice without any other molecules getting in its way and disrupting it. Curious on others thought towards it.
Re: Crystal synthesis inside a vacuum?
That’s how they make synthetic diamonds (as well as other crystals), but they don’t start with powders; they use gaseous precursors. It is a very slow process and requires extremely well controlled conditions.
Re: Crystal synthesis inside a vacuum?
I believe that sputtering sometimes forms crystals as well, at least when the substrate is a crystal.
- Rich Feldman
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Re: Crystal synthesis inside a vacuum?
At the opposite extreme, tons of synthetic quartz crystals are grown at pressures up to 1500 bar (21,000 psi),
from alkaline aqueous solutions at temperatures around 380 °C, mimicking the natural geological method. That's barely above critical temperature, but almost 7 times critical pressure, so it's fair to consider the growth medium "liquid".
ref: http://www.roditi.com/SingleCrystal/Qua ... rowth.html
from alkaline aqueous solutions at temperatures around 380 °C, mimicking the natural geological method. That's barely above critical temperature, but almost 7 times critical pressure, so it's fair to consider the growth medium "liquid".
ref: http://www.roditi.com/SingleCrystal/Qua ... rowth.html
All models are wrong; some models are useful. -- George Box