Detection of nanocracks on double fluoride rare earth crystal surface

TL;DR

This paper reports the detection of nanocracks on the surfaces of double fluoride rare earth crystals using NMR Cryoporometry and Atomic-Force Microscopy, confirming earlier predictions of microcrack presence.

Contribution

It introduces combined NMR Cryoporometry and AFM techniques for detecting nanocracks on rare earth crystal surfaces, validating previous theoretical predictions.

Findings

Nanocracks detected on LiYF4 and LiTmF4 surfaces.

Confirmation of earlier microcrack predictions.

Use of NMR Cryoporometry and AFM for surface crack analysis.

Abstract

Predicted earlier, microcracks on the crystal surface of both finely dispersed $LiYF_4$ powders and single crystals of the Van Vleck paramagnet $% LiTmF_4$ were detected by using the NMR Cryoporometry and Atomic-Force Microscopy technique.