Abstract

Crystal growth in China, with a history of about 1000 years, has been developing rapidly since the end of 1950. A powerful crystal growth community has been forming during the last three decades and many well-trained experts are now spread over the institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, universities, and industrial departments, each with its own characteristic. The crystal growth techniques have now reached a higher level. Almost all the artificial crystals needed for high tech in China today (including the major nonlinear optical crystals BGO, BBO, KTP, LiNbO₃, KNbO₃, and the KDP family which are now entering the international market) are grown. Combining theory with practice, China is now exploring new crystal materials. New nonlinear optical crystal BBO, LBO, LAP, organometallic complexes have been developed. Photorefractive crystal research and fundamental research based on crystal growth mechanisms and new physical effects are also under way, and Chinese researchers look to academic exchange and cooperation with worldwide crystal growth communities and applied industrial corporations.

© 1989 Optical Society of America