SURFACE-STATE IMPROVEMENT OF GROUND AT AND SC QUARTZ CUTS BY CONTROLLED DISSOLUTION IN NAOH, KOH, LIOH

After the studies which allowed us to perfect the chemical thinning do wn, or controlled dissolution, of both AT and SC quartz plates in NaOH and KOH media, respectively, we have investigated mixtures of these w ith another basic compound (LiOH) in order to discover a common solven t for both AT and SC cuts. The results show that crystallographic orie ntation and solvent nature have a great influence on controlled dissol ution especially on the surface texture. It appears that the basic com pound which has the smallest cation imposes its properties and consequ ently, the chemical polishing of both AT and SC cuts cannot be made in good conditions with the same solvent.