An application of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to the study of the fine structure of dislocations in potassium feldspars.

An application of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to the study of two types of dislocations in potassium feldspars (K-feldspars) is shown here. HRTEM images were submitted to a filtering in order to improve their interpretation. One type of dislocation--(010)[001]--appears to be dissociated, with (010)[001]/2 planar defect, whereas the other one--(010)[110]/2--is perfect. This result helps provide an understanding of dislocation activation in this material.