Application of the periodic bond chain method for calculating sapphire crystallographic forms

The application of the periodic bond chain method for calculating the sequence of the development of corundum single crystal faces is considered. The key role of the faces of pinacoid, high rhombohedron, and hexagonal prisms is demonstrated. The calculated data are compared with the experimental results on faceting of the lateral surface of cylindrical sapphire single crystals grown by the Stepanov technique and with the faceting data on flux-grown and natural crystals.