ISSN:
1573-7357
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract We present the first quantitative experiment on the equilibrium shape of crystals under nonhydrostatic stress. By studying very pure helium-4 crystals, evidence was obtained that small nonhydrostatic stresses produce a macroscopic melting, as predicted by calculations based on elastic theory [1]. Furthermore, above a certain threshold in strain, large grooves appear on the crystal surface, in agreement with the instability first predicted by Grinfeld [2]. Our results also agree with a more qualitative study done by M. Thiel et al.[3]. We finally discuss the relaxation of stresses as a possible consequence of the motion of crystal defects.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00692612
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