Mineralogy books often define a crystal in terms of the external crystal faces; a better definition uses the concept of an ordered internal arrangement of atoms or ions. A hypothetical perfect crystal is then a solid in which perfect three-dimensional order exists. All real crystals however contain many types of defects (e.g., dislocations, vacancies, interstitials, inclusions, low-angle grain boundaries, etc.; see Crystals, Defects in), so that a rigorous definition becomes difficult. The dividing line between a “single crystal” and a “polycrystalline mass” may even depend on the end use. For jewelry uses, quite large defects may be tolerated; whereas, for nonlinear optical purposes, even a low-angle grain boundary of 0.1° may make a crystal behave as if it consisted of two separate crystals.
General Considerations
The aim in crystal growth is to permit the formation of one or only a few crystal nuclei, and to provide controlled conditions so that the continuing growth from the...
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Cross-references
Abrasive Materials; Barometry, Geologic; Crystallography: Morphological; Crystals, Defects in; Diamond; Epitaxy; Gemology; Glass: Theory of Crystallization; Magnetic Minerals; Metallurgy; Quartz; Synthetic Minerals; Thermometry, Geologic
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© 1981 Hutchinson Ross Publishing Company
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Nassau, K. (1981). Crystal growth . In: Mineralogy. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30720-6_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30720-6_28
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