Fractoemission from Lead Zirconate‐Titanate

Abstract

We present measurements of the electron, positive ion, and photon emission accompanying the fracture in vacuum of poly‐crystalline 95/5 lead zirconate‐titanate. The intensities of the charged‐particle components of this fractoemission are shown to depend strongly on the direction (relative to the direction of fracture) and magnitude of polarization. The most intense emission is observed when the fracture surfaces are perpendicular to the polarization direction. The emission intensity increases monotonically with polarization. These results are interpreted in terms of a model involving charge separation on the fracture surfaces leading to a microdischarge during fracture. Implications to the interpretation of triboluminesence effects are discussed.