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AFM-observation of elementary processes of crystal growth from solution

NATALYA N. PISKUNOVA1,* , ASKHAB M. ASKHABOV1

Affiliation

  1. Institute of Geology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Science, 54, Pervomayskaya St., Syktyvkar 167982, Komi Republic, Russian Federation

Abstract

Evolution of the NaCl crystal surface in the process of its growth from the solution under various conditions was studied using in situ investigations by the atomic force method (AFM) and statistical approach. The mean values of tangential rate and distances between the steps statistically calculated for each time interval determine the normal rate of growth of the scanning area associated with thermodynamic conditions of growth. We worked out a criterion for characterization of the state of the stationary growth. The point when the growing surface reaches the stationary growth is characterized not only by constancy of the normal rate of growth, but also by stability of its dispersion in time. The AFM-method helps to register the tendency of thin steps to group together and form macrosteps. We have determined that in one of the experiments the real nature of this grouping is kinematical waves of density of steps. We proved that only three out of the nine were actually kinematical waves, and the rest were produced as a consequence..

Keywords

Crystal growth, NaCl, Atomic force microscopy.

Submitted at: Nov. 14, 2006
Accepted at: May 15, 2007

Citation

NATALYA N. PISKUNOVA, ASKHAB M. ASKHABOV, AFM-observation of elementary processes of crystal growth from solution, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials Vol. 9, Iss. 5, pp. 1290-1293 (2007)