Effect of La³⁺ ions on the habit of KDP crystals

Abstract

A few KDP (KH2PO4) and KDP: La³⁺ (LaCl₃) single crystals were grown being based on the temperature reduction method. Investigations show that the presence of three valent ions like La³⁺ could be a cause of retarded growth rate and induced crystalline lattice defects. Here the pure KDP crystals are compared with KDP: LaCl₃ before and after their exposure to gamma irradiation. Both types of crystals also were studied in aspect of other structural and optical properties.