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This is a reflected light micrograph of polished, carbon coated synthetic gallium arsenide
crystals. The identifying etched label, which is a feature
of our standards, is invaluable for navigating in an electron beam instrument.
There are no minerals containing significant amounts of gallium for use as a
standard. Arsenic is an element which oxidizes easily and so is unsuitable for
mounting and polishing. But the compound, GaAs, widely used in the semi-conductor
business, contains both these elements in major amounts, and is stable and easily
polished. hence its presence in this set.
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