The structure and properties of fluorite crystal surfaces

P. Tasker

The surface energies, tensions and structure of the (111) and (110) surfaces of CaF2, SrF2, BaF2 and UO2, ThO2, PrO2, PuO2, CeO2 have been calculated using an ionic shell model. The surface energies for the natural cleavage plane (111) are compared with the available experimental data and agree well. The surface tensions indicate a compressive stress in both surfaces. The surface structures show increasing relaxation with increasing ion size and the rumpling of the (110) surface indicates a qualitative difference between CaF2, SrF2 and the other crystals studied.

Domaines: Articles anciens

P. Tasker. The structure and properties of fluorite crystal surfaces. Journal de Physique Colloques, 1980, 41 (C6), pp.C6-488-C6-491. ⟨10.1051/jphyscol:19806127⟩. ⟨jpa-00220035⟩