Observations on whiskers and skeletal crystals in PbSe layers by scanning electron microscopy

Whiskers and skeletal crystals of PbSe are obtained on substrates of (100) germanium. The production conditions and peculiarities of their structures are discussed. SEM observations show that the whiskers are prism-shaped possessing rectangular or square cross-sections with lengths up to 190m and widths of the surrounding walls up to 26m. Hollow pyramidal crystals with their apexes connected to the layer surface by a whisker are described, as well as hollow crystals with an open or a closed surrounding surface. Certain aspects of the growth mechanism of skeletal crystals and whiskers are discussed.