IMPROVED YIELD OF BRIDGMAN GROWN AGGASE2 CRYSTALS USING SHAPED CRUCIBLES

Precision tapered fused quartz growth ampoules and controlled seeding have made possible the growth of high quality AgGaSe2 boules in both circular and square cross-section. From square cross-section boules, cutting yields in the manufacture of 1 cm2 optical crystals are significantly higher than from circular cross-section boules. A relatively simple vacuum-forming technique has been developed to fabricate the circular and square cross-section fused quartz growth ampoules required with precise dimensional control. © 1990.