Study Reveals Key Atomic-Scale Mechanism Involved in Crystal Growth Written by AZoMMay 27 2021 With attractive shapes and vivid colors, a majority of crystals are undoubtedly the wonders of nature. A few crystals are also wonders of science, with revolutionary applications in optics and electronics. Therefore, identifying an optimal way to grow these crystals is crucial to more advancements. Schematic of microbeam surface X-ray scattering during growth of gallium nitride crystal at high temperature. Image Credit: Argonne National Laboratory. Researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), together with three universities, have shed new light on the mechanism behind the growth of gallium nitride crystals at the atomic scale.