Molecular tagging velocimetry characterization of rapid KDP crystal growth

Measurements of the tangential and axial velocities near the prism faces of a rotating mock crystal mounted on a rotating platform are presented. Thes e measurements were made using molecular tagging velocimetry and are signif icant to the rapid growth of KDP crystals because they provide a descriptio n of the flow field and the evolution of the relative tangential and axial velocities near the prism faces and in the bulk flow region. These data rep resent the first measurements of fluid velocities around rotating crystal g eometries, and thus provide a benchmark for future computer simulations of the crystal growth process at higher Re than previously obtainable. The mea surements provide a temporal and spatial description of the evolving veloci ty field in the vicinity of a rotating crystal. Rotational conditions and l ocations on the prism faces where low shear rates are likely to occur, base d on the measurements presented, are discussed qualitatively.