PRESSURE BALANCE UNDER HYDROTHERMAL CONDITIONS

Low pressure, low temperature growth of potassium titanyl phosphate (K TP) crystals, the material of choice for certain kinds of laser eye su rgery apparatus and other applications, requires hydrothermal growth i n pressure balance noble metal cans. This paper discusses the problem of pressure balancing the Au cans used for hydrothermal KTP growth. Th e P-V-T behavior of the pressure balance medium (H2O) and the growth m edium (KTP saturated K2HPO4) are described and the source of the ''dim ples'' in growth cans is explained and remediation strategies are sugg ested.