KDP Crystal Growth

This is a synthetic seed crystal. It is placed in a six-foot-high tank filled with nearly a metric ton of supersaturated potassium dihydrogen phosphate, or KDP. As it rotates on a turntable in the tank, the crystal begins to grow. In just two months, the crystal grows to be as large as 800 pounds; with conventional methods of growing crystals, this process would take nearly two years. When complete, the crystal is carefully cleaned. It's removed from the tank. Then it's measured; and finally, it's cut into 40-by-40-centimeter plates to be used in the National Ignition Facility to focus, transmit and direct laser beams on their way to the target chamber.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• KDP
• crystal
• growth
• supersaturated
• potassium
• dihydrogen
• phosphate
• laser
• optics

[j822bosh]

That is the most amazing crystal! WATER CLEAR! I laugh because KDP is fertilizer. FERTILIZER!!

[Neilidity]

I don't know, but I can guess: With a stationary solution, crystal growth will deplete the concentration of dissolved salt in the immediate vicinity of the crystal relative to the bulk solution, causing crystal growth to slow. Mixing the solution maintains the average concentration of dissolved salt in all parts, including at the crystal surface. The concentration of salt at the crystal's surface will still drop, but not as fast. Rotation of the crystal has the effect of stirring the solution.

[cmmitchell2028]

I didnt know Tommy Chong was into growing crystals hehe.-

[douro20]

Isn't that actually deuterated KDP?

[skonkfactory]

@viktorgoa Yes, you can grow diamond, but it requires very different conditions to growing KDP. Diamonds are made of elemental carbon, which is not soluble in most solvents, and it is energetically preferable to form graphite-like structures at normal pressures and temperatures. You generally need very high temperatures and pressures to form diamonds, which is why synthetic diamonds are difficult to make.

[buroaga]

Anybody knows where to find a video about protein crystallization proccess or crystal seeding? Thanks!

[nocheezburger]

@viktorgoa yes, but it comes out wierd and blemished

[sweettooth80]

pretty i want one

[XXxZAKKxX]

@viktorgoa A muppet? lol. In all my minutes of trolling I have never been called that. *scribbles down*

[viktorgoa]

@XXxZAKKxX Wait there forever you ignorant muppet, you deserve it, if you don't have a sense of humour! lol

[XXxZAKKxX]

@viktorgoa Go ahead and look up what a diamond is, and is not. Go ahead. I'll wait here while you realize you are a complete dipshit.

[viktorgoa]

can u grow diamond?