AN INTERFERENCE MICROSCOPE STUDY OF IRON WHISKERS
Abstract
Interference microscopy has proven to be an invaluable technique for the observation of nucleation habits and branching phenomena of iron whiskers. A Zeiss interference microscope was employed in an investigation having as its threefold objective: (1) the study of crystal growth preceding nucleation sites on existing whiskers; (2) determine whether branching whiskers as well as new growth directions maintain the same crystallographic continuity; and, (3) develop a visual technique of ascertaining the degree of perfection of the crystal faces. The whiskers studied ranged in length from a few mm to 2 cm. It is possible to determine variations in surface topography from 0.03 to 2 microns. Use of the illumination provided by the interference fringes in the study of metallic whiskers made it possible to achieve the threefold objective. The micrographs presented demonstrate the usefulness of the interference microscope as another technique in determining crystal perfection by a visual method.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0296439
Entities
People
- M.j. Button
- T.p. Turnbull
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology