Effect of raw material and growth method on optical properties of DKDP crystal

Three kinds of KH₂PO₄ raw material are used to grow deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals by traditional and rapid growth methods, respectively. The growth habit dependence on the purity of raw material is described and analyzed. The optical properties including transmission spectra and laser-induced damage threshold of these crystals are measured. It is found that the growth method affects the optical properties of crystal more obviously than the raw material with the mass content of main metal ions below 1 ppm. Moreover, the morphology of the core in the observed damage sites indicates that an explosion process probably occurs during laser-induced breakdown.