seed crystal
Crystallization starting point
A seed crystal is a small piece of crystalline material used to initiate and guide the growth of a larger crystal.
When placed in a supersaturated solution or molten substance, additional molecules align with the seed's atomic structure, building outward in the same pattern: Silicon wafers for computer chips begin as seed crystals.
The term extends figuratively to anything that nucleates larger growth: Her offhand comment became the seed crystal for the whole project.
Initial cluster formation
- supersaturationExceeding dissolution equilibrium limits
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- solubilityDissolving potential in liquid
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
facet · morphology · habit · monocrystalline · polycrystalline · substrate · pulling · rotation
Openwork of crossed strips
- cubicOf three dimensions
- hexagonalSix-edged polygon's form
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
Metalloid in electronics
- sapphireBlue precious corundum
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- quartzCrystalline silicon dioxide
- lithium niobateFerroelectric optical crystal
Partial electrical conductor
- waferThin crisp disk
- solar cellLight-to-current converter
- LEDSemiconductor that glows
- laserConcentrated light device
piezoelectric · oscillator · integrated circuit · photovoltaic · electronics · nanotechnology · pharmaceutical
nucleation
Initial cluster formation
- supersaturationExceeding dissolution equilibrium limits
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- solubilityDissolving potential in liquid
crystallization · facet · morphology · habit · monocrystalline · polycrystalline · substrate · pulling · rotation · cooling rate
lattice
Openwork of crossed strips
- cubicOf three dimensions
- hexagonalSix-edged polygon's form
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
anisotropy · symmetry · facet
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
- waferThin crisp disk
- solar cellLight-to-current converter
- LEDSemiconductor that glows
laser · piezoelectric · oscillator · integrated circuit · photovoltaic · electronics · nanotechnology · pharmaceutical
- crystalsquartz, amethyst, diamond, citrine, rose quartz
- crystallographydislocations, crystallization, vacancies, interstitials, hexagonal
- crystal propertieshardness, luster, cleavage, fracture, streak
- crystallizationnucleation, supersaturation, recrystallization, saturation, ice crystals
- nucleation
- EpitaxyMBE, CVD, CBE, lattice mismatch, layer by layer
seed, crystal, seeded, seeding, crystallize, seedless, crystalline, seedbed, crystallized