Growth of Technological Crystals

Single crystals can be grown from the melt, from solution, from the vapor phase, and at high pressure. Technological uses of single crystals include silicon, gallium arsenide, etc. for microelectronics; ruby, YAG, etc. for lasers; lithium niobate for integrated optics; diamond for semiconductor heat sinks, abrasives, and machining tools; and quartz for piezoelectric uses.