On the nature and mechanism of surface polygonization of NaCl and KCl single crystals produced by electron bombardment and illumination

Abstract

The polygonization phenomenon observed on alkali halide surfaces, irradiated with electrons and subsequently illuminated, was studied by optical and electron microscopy. For the explanation of the nature and mechanism of this process, we have investigated the influence of light (containing the F?centre absorption band) on the development and annihilation in time of some polygonization lines, as well as the correlation of the polygonization patterns with dislocation etch pits and subgrain boundaries revealed by a selective chemical etching.

Preceded by an optical bleaching effect which locally induces surface potential changes, the polygonization process is explained taking into account the mobility of unpinned charged dislocations and the surface atom migration. The disappearance of some polygonization lines may be produced by a vacancy-interstitial annihilation process.

No identification was found between the polygonization patterns and the subgrain boundaries.