Optimization of the structural quality of sapphire rods grown by the Stepanov method in a reducing atmosphere

Historically, the Stepanov method has been used for growing long shaped sapphire crystals (rods, tubes, and ribbons) for practical design. The recent intense development of this technique was stimulated by sapphire applications in optics and electronics; thus, the optical and structural quality of these crystals is of great importance. The results of studying the structural quality of sapphire rods up to 18 mm in diameter grown under optimized conditions are reported.