Crystal Growth Processes

Crystal growth involves the formation of a solid with an ordered, repeating atomic structure from a liquid, gas, or solution. When molecules or atoms come together under specific conditions—such as temperature and concentration—they arrange themselves into a precise pattern, creating a crystal. This process can occur naturally, like in minerals forming in the Earth, or artificially, such as in laboratories for semiconductors. Factors like supersaturation, temperature control, and purity influence the rate and quality of crystal growth, resulting in structures that are often symmetrical and uniform, essential for various technological and scientific applications.