Laser Shock Wave Induced Crystallization

Abstract

Formation of crystals in saturated and undersaturated solutions is studied as a result of intense sound, or shock waves, produced by high intensity focused laser pulses. Many tiny crystals are created immediately throughout the solution by the laser-generated sound waves. The compression waves can be created by focusing within the liquid or onto the walls of a container. This new method allows for the instantaneous formation of many “seed” crystals, which are then available for further impurity-free crystal growth. More importantly, the tiny “baby” crystals can be harvested before complete growth into “adult” crystals can occur. This method is shown to produce enough “baby” crystals to provide a glimpse into the initial stages of crystal growth using modern microscopy techniques such as SEM. By employing this new method, simple salts such as sodium bromate, sodium chloride, sodium chlorate, and tartaric acid were successfully crystallized. This method of crystal growth may also allow for the generation of crystals which have previously not been realized or are otherwise difficult to produce.

Sustainable existence of solid mercury (Hg) nanoparticles at room temperature and their applications

“…In the later stage, shockwaves and micro-jets generated aer the collapse of the acoustic bubble induce structural changes in the nanoscale dispersions of Hg, forming solid crystals through a process known as sonocrystallization. 32,35,36 Suslick argues that sonication generally yields small crystals with a narrower size distribution than conventional crystallization. 32,35 Following this step, the micro-jets move at a very high speed towards the solid RGO, "throwing" the crystalline solid mercury nanoparticles onto the RGO sheets, thereby embedding the solid particles in RGO.…”

Supersaturation dependence of glycine polymorphism using laser-induced nucleation, sonocrystallization and nucleation by mechanical shock

“…55 It has been known for a long time that mechanical shock can induce nucleation. 56,57 Ultrasound has been used to nucleate crystals in a variety of systems, and it is known that ultrasound causes cavitation. 58 For both of these methods it is generally accepted that nucleation results from induction of localized zones of high pressure, which increase local supersaturation.…”

Laser-induced vapour bubble as a means for crystal nucleation in supersaturated solutions—Formulation of a numerical framework

“…These laser-induced cavities have been observed to induce crystal nucleation in supersaturated solutions, but the mechanism behind the nucleation is not entirely clear. Most suggestions as to why the crystals are formed are based on assumptions of physical properties in the liquid around the cavitation bubble (Ruecroft et al, 2005;Nakamura et al, 2007;Iefuji et al, 2011;Knott et al, 2011;Yoshikawa et al, 2014;Mirsaleh-Kohan et al, 2017).…”