Spatial control of crystal nucleation in agarose gel.
Spatial and temporal control of crystal nucleation is demonstrated by nonphotochemical laser-induced nucleation of an aqueous agarose gel prepared with supersaturated potassium chloride. The location of nucleation was controlled by means of an optical mask; crystals were only observed in the area exposed to near-infrared laser radiation. The dependence of nucleation on laser power was measured, and the results suggest that the agarose gel reduces the effective supersaturation of the aqueous potassium chloride.
Duffus
Carla
C
School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, UK.
Camp
Philip J
PJ
Alexander
Andrew J
AJ