The role of dislocations, integral strain, and supersaturation on the growth rates of sodium nitrate

Integral strain and dislocations have both been cited as determining factors of crystal growth rates. Sodium nitrate growth rate distributions have shown dependence upon the supersaturation present during nucleation and during growth. This paper provides further evidence that crystal growth rates are dependent upon both dislocations and strain. It also demonstrates the mechanism of crystal growth at low-supersaturation levels and the difference in the dependence of crystal growth rates with respect to integral strain at varying supersaturations.