ON THE CALCULATION OF SPECIFIC FREE-ENERGY OF STEP EDGES IN IONIC-CRYSTALS

A description is given of a calculation method of the specific free en ergy rho of steps on flat faces of growing crystals, based on the Stra nski approach where rho is considered as the excess energy resulting f rom the separation of a finite 2D nucleus from its infinite 2D crystal layer. The advantages of the method are illustrated by numerical exam ples concerning two F-faces, the cleavage and the steep rhombohedron, of the calcite crystal. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.