Photostimulated growth of whiskers in AgI-type superionic crystals

The growth of whiskers inside and on the surface of superionic crystals (AgI, CuI, Ag$_4$RbI$_5$) is considered. The crystals are exposed to radiations with different spectral compositions at temperatures above and below the temperature of the superionic phase transition. The chemical composition, structure, and properties of whiskers are studied with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence. The mechanisms of photostimulated growth of whiskers in semiconductors with a high ionic conductivity are discussed, and the role of the “molten” cation sublattice during nucleation and growth of whiskers is considered.