A Quantitative Study of Etch Morphology of (0001) Zinc Cleavages

Abstract

The (0001) plane of zinc monocrystals were etched over a range of HCl/95% ethyl alcohol solutions for different etch times to produce etch pits. The etched surface was examined on the Zeiss interference microscope and from the interferograms made pits slopes, depths and rate of deepening were evaluated. The results indicate that the rate of widening of the pits formed is dependent on the defect causing the pit while the pit shape is governed by the HCl in the etchant.