Observation of Basal Dislocations in Ice by Etching and Replicating

Abstract

A method is described for preparing the surface of ice and for forming etch pits on the prismatic surfaces with whisker replicas that correspond to basal dislocations. The technique removes the ambiguity sometimes associated with etch pits and dislocations, and allows direct observation of dislocation glide, pile-up against barriers, and other features in deformed ice.