Growth of single crystals of mercuric iodide on the ground and in space
Abstract
A short review is given of the methods by which mercuric iodide is prepared and purified to obtain material suitable for the growth of single crystals. The method used in our laboratory to grow single crystals up to 1,000 grams in weight from the vapor is discussed. Effects of gravity on the growth process are described. A crystal growth system suitable for operation in the reduced gravity environment of space was designed and crystal growth experiments were performed during the flights of Spacelab 3 (April 1985) and the International Microgravity Laboratory (January 1992). Structural quality and electronic properties of ground-based and space-grown crystals are compared.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society
- Pub Date:
- April 1993
- Bibcode:
- 1993mrs..meetQ..12V
- Keywords:
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- Crystal Growth;
- Gravitational Effects;
- Microgravity;
- Single Crystals;
- Space Processing;
- Electrical Properties;
- Iodides;
- Mercury Compounds;
- Semiconductors (Materials);
- Solid-State Physics