‘seeing’ dislocations in zinc

Abstract

An x-ray diffraction micrograph study using characteristic iron and chromium radiation has been made on cleaved zinc monocrystals previously grown from the melt. Correlation of the x-ray results with optical observations, interference microscope studies, chemical polishing and etching experiments, and deformation effects showed that the fine line structure of the x-ray diffraction spots is caused by the intrinsic character and properties of individual or small groups of parallel dislocations. It is concluded that dislocations are favourably revealed in this metal because of its high x-ray absorption and anisotropic distribution of dislocations.