Abstract:
The surface structure of the coarse (0 0 (1) over bar) face of potassium bichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) was studied in-situ and ex-situ with the help of
optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A multitude of features, like unit cell height steps, bunches,
macrosteps of which some are actually small facets, inclusions and spirals were observed. The observations lead to new ideas about the growth
mechanisms of this face, in which the combined action of impurity adsorption and volume diffusion plays a key role. These mechanisms may be
responsible for the coarse growth on other crystals as well. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.