Effects and phenomena in filamentary heavy-metal azide crystals exposed to heat, light, and electric and magnetic fields

Mechanically Responsive Molecular Crystals

“…In 1972, Herley and Levy reported bending of crystals of ammonium perchlorate during radiolysis . Bending was also observed during decomposition of whiskers of a series of inorganic salts, such as β-Pb­(N 3 ) 2 , AgN 3 , TlN 3 , KNO 3 , as well as some other photoactive nitrates and oxides with piezoelectric properties. ,− In these cases, bending occurs before gas evolution could be detected and is related to the nonuniform distribution of electrically charged defects and their associates, such as F-centers, which are generated in the crystals as a result of photodecomposition. The mechanical effects are strongly affected by applied electric and magnetic fields.…”