Microbubble formation during crystallization of LiNbO₃ melts

Bubbles whose size ranged from sub-micron to ∼ 1 μm were observed along the interface in the interface liquid boundary layer of LiNbO₃ melts when fiber-shaped LiNbO₃ crystals were grown via laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG). This method usually yields a very high temperature gradient near the solid-liquid interface leading to significant thermoelectric power which affects the distribution of LiNbO₃ intrinsic species in the melt. Supersaturation of OLi^- and/or O^2- ions at the interface were calculated to have a large enough total supersaturation to nucleate bubbles due to a combination of both solute build up and a significant temperature difference between the interface and the far-field liquid.