CADMIUM-OXIDE WHISKER CRYSTALS GROWN BY THE VAPOR LIQUID-SOLID MECHANISM USING VARIOUS ELEMENTS AS GROWTH INITIATORS

CdO whisker crystals with micrometre thickness and length of up to 4.5 mm were grown by a simple technology described in previous publicatio ns of the authors. The whiskers grow on CdS crystal substrates, previo usly covered by a thin metal or silicon layer, on annealing in air at atmospheric pressure. The growth initiator used was Ag, Au, Al, Si, Mn , Ni, Pd or Pt. A study was carried out of the effect of impurities on the conditions and efficiency of growth, as well as on the morphology and composition of the whiskers obtained. The small crystals were exa mined using an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, X-r ay structural analysis and X-ray microanalysis. The maximum speed of g rowth obtained with Au was about 1 mm h-1. The whiskers grow with a fa ce-centred cubic lattice. The largest crystals are in the form of a pa rallelipiped with facets of {100}. Data are obtained which support the vapour-liquid-solid mechanism of crystal growth. The possibility is a lso shown of growing whiskers on zinc or cadmium plates covered with a thin layer of Cu, Ag, Au or Al by applying the same technology.