State of the art of crystal growth in the United States

Vida K. Simonaitis-Castillo

doi:10.1117/12.849223

4 May 2010 State of the art of crystal growth in the United States

Vida K. Simonaitis-Castillo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7686, Laser Technology for Defense and Security VI; 76860X (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849223
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The United States had been at the forefront of technology, including crystal growth, from the mid 1900's until several years ago. The growth of crystalline materials is generally capital-intensive and low profit, with the value-added fabrication and thin film coating steps comprising the majority of the cost of the final optic. With the continuous improvements realized by scientists in foreign countries, many U.S. companies with crystal growth facilities are opting to procure material from outside the U.S. to boost profits. Compounded with Federal procurement regulations, the end result is that it has become difficult, if not impossible, to procure some mission-critical materials from U.S. sources, putting numerous DoD programs in potential jeopardy. In addition, there is a limited amount of research currently underway on new materials state-side. If the current trends hold, DoD programs will be at the mercy of foreign companies to supply crystalline materials which are mission critical to the DoD.

Citation Download Citation

Vida K. Simonaitis-Castillo "State of the art of crystal growth in the United States", Proc. SPIE 7686, Laser Technology for Defense and Security VI, 76860X (4 May 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849223

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