Crystal growth

Crystallization
Crystallization
Fundamentals
	Crystal; Crystal structure; Nucleation;
Concepts
	Crystallization; Recrystallization; Seed crystal; Protocrystalline; Single crystal;
Methods and technology
	Boules; Bridgman–Stockbarger method; Van Arkel–de Boer process; Czochralski method; Epitaxy; Flux method; Fractional crystallization; Fractional freezing; Hydrothermal synthesis; Kyropoulos method; Laser-heated pedestal growth; Lely method; Micro-pulling-down; Shaping processes in crystal growth; Skull crucible; Verneuil method; Zone melting;

Crystal growth is a major stage of a crystallization process, and consists of the addition of new atoms, ions, or polymer strings into the characteristic arrangement of the crystalline lattice.^[1]^[2] The growth typically follows an initial stage of either homogeneous or heterogeneous (surface catalyzed) nucleation, unless a "seed" crystal, purposely added to start the growth, was already present.

The action of crystal growth yields a crystalline solid whose atoms or molecules are close packed, with fixed positions in space relative to each other. The crystalline state of matter is characterized by a distinct structural rigidity and very high resistance to deformation (i.e. changes of shape and/or volume). Most crystalline solids have high values both of Young's modulus and of the shear modulus of elasticity. This contrasts with most liquids or fluids, which have a low shear modulus, and typically exhibit the capacity for macroscopic viscous flow.

^ Markov, Ivan (2016). Crystal Growth For Beginners: Fundamentals Of Nucleation, Crystal Growth And Epitaxy (Third ed.). Singapore: World Scientific. doi:10.1142/10127. ISBN 978-981-3143-85-2.
^ Pimpinelli, Alberto; Villain, Jacques (2010). Physics of Crystal Growth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. https://www.cambridge.org/bg/academic/subjects/physics/condensed-matter-physics-nanoscience-and-mesoscopic-physics/physics-crystal-growth?format=PB. ISBN 9780511622526.

[1] Markov, Ivan (2016). Crystal Growth For Beginners: Fundamentals Of Nucleation, Crystal Growth And Epitaxy (Third ed.). Singapore: World Scientific. doi:10.1142/10127. ISBN 978-981-3143-85-2.

[2] Pimpinelli, Alberto; Villain, Jacques (2010). Physics of Crystal Growth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. https://www.cambridge.org/bg/academic/subjects/physics/condensed-matter-physics-nanoscience-and-mesoscopic-physics/physics-crystal-growth?format=PB. ISBN 9780511622526.

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