Scanning force microscopy on albite cleavage surfaces

Abstract

Surfaces of low-albite crystals, a member of the natural feldspar group, were studied by scanning force microscopy immediately after cleavage. Data presented exhibit typical steps corresponding to the atomic structure of a bite. After exposure of the albite surface to ambient air we observed a time-dependent change in surface morphology emulating from the step edges. To explain such phenomena we propose an atomic model.