Issue 5, 2017

Polarization independence of laser-induced nucleation in supersaturated aqueous urea solutions

Abstract

In a seminal report on laser-induced nucleation in aqueous supersaturated solutions (Phys. Rev. Lett., 1996, 77, 3475) it was noted that needle-shaped crystals of urea were aligned with the direction of the electric field of the linearly polarized laser pulse. The results gave rise to a new mechanism for control of crystal nucleation involving alignment of solute molecules (optical Kerr effect) now commonly known as non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation (NPLIN). Recent theoretical and experimental work has cast doubts on the optical Kerr effect mechanism. In the present letter we present results from digital imaging of urea-crystal growth immediately following laser-induced nucleation. Analysis of the data shows no statistically significant correlation between crystal angle and direction of linear polarization. The results overturn a long-held result that has shaped theoretical and experimental studies of NPLIN.

Graphical abstract: Polarization independence of laser-induced nucleation in supersaturated aqueous urea solutions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
22 Nov 2016
Accepted
09 Jan 2017
First published
10 Jan 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017,19, 3464-3467

Polarization independence of laser-induced nucleation in supersaturated aqueous urea solutions

Y. Liu, M. R. Ward and A. J. Alexander, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 3464 DOI: 10.1039/C6CP07997K

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements