Formation of space-charge electric field and space charge during the cleaving of Alkali Halide Crystals

The “acoustic probe” method has been used for the measurement of the space-charge and polarization in the crystals LiF, NaF, KCl and NaCl exposed to mechanical action. It has been shown that large mechanical stresses in the bulk of crystals lead to the formation of space-charges and inhomogeneous polarization. The reason for this phenomenon is, probably, the motion of dislocation pile-ups.