Quote:
Originally Posted by Electronic M
Dumb idea, before it does much crystalization drop a frozen or chilled mold with one or two openings in to speed the cooling/xtalization process and get the shape.
Tom C.
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The problem with that is you get very rapid crystallization, which produces a lot of small, irregularly shaped crystals (think a sugar cube). You want slow crystallization, which gives a lot of time for the incoming molecules to align, and gives you a nice, large crystal - think rock candy type ones or larger).
Quote:
Originally Posted by bob91343
I think they use a saw to slice the crystal into small sheets, then fasten a contact to each side. Of course, you have to consider lattice orientation. One way to fasten the wires is to make a little (non conducting) clamp to squeeze the contacts against the crystal.
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If the crystal has straight, perpendicular cleavage planes, you wouldn't need to saw it - you could just split it in to blocks of the right thickness (provided the crystal is not majorly flawed)