Large CdS single crystals with a high optical strength

Large US single crystals were fabricated by a “free growth” from the vapour phase in the presence of chemical compounds that bind the excess cadmium and do not enter into the growing crystal. Some parameters of the bulk crystals fabricated by this method and by “traditional” methods are compared. The crystals grown by the method developed are shown to have some unique properties, among them a low density of dislocations and second-phase inclusions, high optical transparency, high microhardness and, what is of particular interest for practice, an extraordinarily high optical strength.