PLASTICIZATION OF BISMUTH CRYSTALS UNDER SIMULTANEOUS SUPERPOSITION OF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC-FIELDS

The deformation of bismuth crystals under mechanical stress and simult aneous superposition of a constant magnetic field and an impulse elect ric current has been investigated experimentally. Two plastifying fact ors have been identified. The first is a damping elastic ultrasonic vi bration caused by the Ampere force. In case of the deformation by twin ning. these vibrations result in an increase of the density of twinnin g wedges around the indentation of a diamond indentor. The second fact or is an electric charge on the free surface. The electric charge on t he (111) cleavage face increases the mobility of twinning dislocations .