Abstract

A complete and fully computerised Temperature-Gradient Zone-Melting (TGZM) device was designed and built, in order to produce novel aligned NLO crystals as composite thin-films. This apparatus consists of two aluminium blocks (hot and cold) separated by glass-ceramic thermally insulating layer (1 mm thickness). The hot block was connected to a heater and was computer-controlled via temperature controller using special software assembled for this purpose. On the other hand the cooling system (cold side) was made of circulating water. Crystal growth from melt can be performed by melting NLO powdered compound on a glass slide and then drawn to the cold side via glass-ceramic sample holder using a computer-controlled motor with similar software mentioned earlier.

© 1996 IEEE