Observation of an incommensurately modulated structure in dielectrics by an atomic-force microscope

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1996 EDP Sciences
, , Citation A. V. Kityk et al 1996 EPL 36 373 DOI 10.1209/epl/i1996-00238-x

0295-5075/36/5/373

Abstract

We report the first direct observation of an incommensurate lattice distortion in dielectric crystals by an atomic-force microscope. The layered crystal (NH3C3H7)2MnCl4 has been imaged in the normal and incommensurate phases. In the normal phase, we observe well-ordered atomic corrugations on a cleavage surface of a crystal. In the incommensurate phase, these atomic corrugations are modulated by a long periodic plane-wave distortion.

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10.1209/epl/i1996-00238-x