ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPE - A NEW TOOL FOR IMAGING CRYSTAL-GROWTH PROCESSES

We present real-time and in situ atomic force microscope (AFM) observa tions of solution growth on the cleavage plane of two minerals, calcit e and fluorite. Different growth behaviours are exhibited: the calcite surface grows via a layer-spiral mechanism, while the fluorite surfac e grows via the formation of sharp asperities. The difference in behav iour of the two minerals may be linked to the lack of local charge neu trality on the fluorite surface. The growth mechanisms observed on cal cite and fluorite provide insight into the expected behaviour of a wid e range of salts important in nature and industry.