Lattice defects in plastic organic crystals. Part 6.—Dislocation etching in adamantane

Abstract

Examination of the characteristic etch pits produced by the evaporation of f.c.c. adamantane crystal surfaces has led us to the conclusion that these are formed at the emergent ends of edge dislocations in the solid. The symmetry of the pits and their distribution following indentation or deformation indicates that the dislocations are of the (111)[101] type characteristic of f.c.c. systems. The ease of slip at room temperature is much greater than in the more brittle crystals.