High resolution imaging of the dolomite (104) cleavage surface by atomic force microscopy

Abstract

In this paper we present high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of dolomite (104) cleavage surfaces immersed in pure water. These images show a rectangular lattice with surface unit cell dimensions in general agreement with those derived from the dolomite bulk structure. Furthermore, the twodimensional fast Fourier transform (2D-FFT) plots of the high resolution images exhibit a pattern of periodicities consistent with both the alternate orientation of the carbonate groups and the positions for calcium and magnesium atoms on the dolomite (104) surface. However, the Mg2+ and Ca2+ sublattices could not be resolved. Finally, the images in both the real and the Fourier space do not reveal any clear evidence of reconstruction of the dolomite (104) surfaces.