Effect of growth conditions on the birefringence of mixed crystals revealed in alum solid solutions

An experimental study of optical anomalies in solid solutions of alums in r elation to their composition, growth temperatures and rates, and hydrodynam ic regime was carried out. Theoretical analysis of the data showed that the y can be understood in terms of a mechanism of kinetic ordering of the isom orphous atoms (the phenomenon of so-called 'growth dissymmetrization'). A t heoretical model is presented which is supported by data for a number of mi nerals and synthetic compounds, which are known for their optical anomalies due to growth dissymmetrization.