Sapphire - Material, Manufacturing, Applications

Preface

Contents

Symbols

Abbreviations

Application of Sapphire

1.1 Use in Jewelry Industry

1.2 Use in Engineering

1.3 Use in Optics

1.4 Use in Medicine

References

Properties of Sapphire

2.1 Physical Properties

2.2 Chemical Properties

References

Appendix

Radiation Effects in Sapphire

3.1 Changes on the Surface

3.2 Changes in the Bulk

References

Crystal Growth Methods

4.1 Crystallization from the Gaseous (Vapor) Phase

4.2 Crystallization from Solution

4.3 Growth of Sapphire from the Melt

4.4 Solid-Phase Crystal Growth

References

Appendix

The Regularities of Structure Defect Formation at the Crystal Growing

5.1 Point Defects

5.2 Dislocations

5.3 Block Structure of Crystals

5.4 Impurity Nonuniformity

5.5 “Grain” Structure

5.6 Correlation Between Structure Quality of Crystals and Mechanisms of Their Formation

5.7 Inclusions in Sapphire

References

Influence of Chemical–Mechanical Treatment on the Quality of Sapphire Article Working Surfaces and on the Evolution of Surfaces under the Action of Forces

6.1 Preliminary Grinding and Lapping

6.2 Polishing

6.3 Structure of Mechanically Treated Sapphire Surfaces

6.4 Control of the Defective Layer during Mechanical Treatment of Sapphire

6.5 Prediction of Sapphire Strength Characteristics by Microindentation Methods

References

The Effect of Thermal Treatment of Crystals on Their Structure Quality and Mechanical Characteristics

7.1 Dislocation and Block Structure

7.2 Evolution of Impurity Striation

7.3 Difference in the Behavior of the Dislocation Ensemble in the Volume and in the Subsurface Layer

7.4 Formation of a Dislocation-Free Zone

7.5 Anomalies of the Crystal Behavior at High-Temperature Annealing

7.6 Influence of the Annealing Medium on the Crystals’ Structure and Their Machinability

7.7 Effect of the Annealing Atmosphere on Mechanical Properties

7.8 Effect of the Annealing Atmosphere on Optical Properties

7.9 Effect of Annealing on Laser Characteristics of Ruby and Sapphire Articles

7.10 Stress Relaxation under Annealing

7.11 Effect of Annealing on the Crystal Strength

7.12 Effect of Annealing on the Optical Inhomogeneity

7.13 Effect of Annealing on the Small-Angle Light Scattering in Crystals

7.14 Effect of High-Temperature Annealing on the Light Transmittance of Machined Surfaces

7.15 Annealing under Loading

References

Appendix

Methods for Obtaining Complex Monolithic Sapphire Units and Large-Size Crystals

8.1 Creation of Single-Piece Crystalline Joints

8.2 Gluing of Sapphire

8.3 Soldering of Sapphire

8.4 Welding of Sapphire

8.5 Welding by Contact Zone Melting

References

Conclusion

Index