Observation Examples of Nonmetals

Cleaving potassium iodide, which is highly deliquescent, in argon exposes the uppermost surface layer and makes it possible to observe atomic steps (left). Furthermore, heating in a vacuum to 400ºC causes rearrangement of the surface, and [100] steps and etch pits can be observed (right).
(Data provided by Dr. Yanagi, Faculty of Engineering, Kobe University)