Delineation of defect structures in flux-grown GdFeO crystals by 3 etching

Etch patterns on 110.and 001.faces of as-obtained GdFeO3 crystals are illustrated and described. Rectangular etch pits oriented with their longer sides in 100:direction and shorter sides in 010:direction are exhibited by 001.faces, whereas almost circular etch pits are exhibited by 110.faces of as-obtained crystals. Hexagonal etch pits and triangular etch pits produced as a result of etching in boiling HNO3 on 001.and 110.faces are respectively illustrated. Evidence in support of twinning in some crystals is offered. The etch pattern on as-grown crystals are attributed to some fault in their growth conditions. Edge nucleated growth pyramids on a 110.face and conical hillocks on 001.faces exhibiting pits at the centres of their initiation are illustrated. The conical hillocks are suggested to be as a result of preferential growth at the point of emergence of screw dislocations. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved