Automatic diameter control system applied to the laser heated pedestal growth technique

Abstract

We described an automatic diameter control system (ADC), for the laser heated pedestal growth technique, that reduces the diameter fluctuations in oxide fibers grown from unreacted and non-sinterized pedestals, to less than 2% of the average fiber diameter, and diminishes the average diameter fluctuation, over the entire length of the fiber, to less than 1%. The ADC apparatus is based on an artificial vision system that controls the pulling speed and the height of the molten zone within a precision of 30 µm. We also show that this system can be used for periodic in situ axial doping the fiber. Pure and Cr 3+ doped LaAlO 3 and pure LiNbO 3 were used as model materials.