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Direct observation of alkali metal colloids in alkali halide crystals

Nature volume 252, pages 383–385 (1974)Cite this article

Abstract

SIEDENTOPF1 observed that sodium chloride crystals containing atomically dispersed F centres turned blue and exhibited Tyndall scattering when annealed at 400° C. These effects were attributed to colloidal particles of sodium metal formed in NaCl crystals by aggregation of F centres during the annealing process. Savostianova2 applied the Mie3 theory to absorption and scattering of light from colloidal metallic particles suspended in dielectric media and predicted colloid sizes in excess of 80 nm. The blue colour of natural rocksalt, investigated4 using optical absorption and photoconductivity, was similarly attributed to colloids. Ionising radiation also produces colloidal absorption bands in irradiated alkali halide crystals under certain conditions5–10.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Development Division, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK

    L. W. HOBBS & A. E. HUGHES

  2. Départment de Physique des Matériaux, Université Claude Bernard de Lyon, France

    G. CHASSAGNE

Authors
  1. L. W. HOBBS
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  2. A. E. HUGHES
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  3. G. CHASSAGNE
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HOBBS, L., HUGHES, A. & CHASSAGNE, G. Direct observation of alkali metal colloids in alkali halide crystals. Nature 252, 383–385 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252383b0

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