| Abstract: | Undoped and PbI2‐doped dendritic single crystals were grown by vapour growth technique. The basal surfaces of the as grown crystals were examined by optical and electron microscopy to observe wide variety of growth and defect features. Apart from typical features of dendritic growth, features of overgrowth, slip bands, growth steps and their bunching, etc. were observed. The basal surfaces of the crystals were then etched by controlled condensation of water vapour, after optimizing the etching condition, and the microscopic studies were repeated. Etch pits of hexagonal and triangular shape, both symmetric and asymmetric, and of different density, were observed in the case of undoped and doped crystals, respectively. In some cases, crystallographic hillocks were also observed. The crystals were also examined by X‐ray diffraction for their polytypism and related behaviour. The results are analyzed to elicit information on the correlation of structure, defects and surface features of the crystals. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
