This is a reflected light micrograph of polished, carbon coated cubic zirconia crystals. The identifying etched label, which is a feature of our standards, is invaluable for navigating in an electron beam instrument.
Cubic zirconia is used in jewelry as a diamond look-alike. To form the perfect crystals the zirconium oxide has to be stabilized by the addition of yttrium oxide. Hafnium is also present as the ubiquitous impurity in zirconium.
|