[NewCandle] Anodic glow discharge SEM images

[Keith Nagel]

Hi All.

More of Nick's SEM pics. This time, the aluminum anode
after glow discharge in phosphoric acid.

http://www.kpnconsulting.com/newcandle/download/nick3.htm

You can just begin to see the pore lattice in the third picture.
The lattice is disordered, probably due to the lack of polishing
of the substrate and the somewhat uncontrolled nature of the
anodizing. Electropolishing would help a lot; here's the first
google hit with some basic info about how to do this to aluminum.

http://www.ep-systems.com/aboutme1.htm

The lattice pattern is a lot like a raft of soap bubbles. The minimum energy
configuration
is the regular hexagonal lattice pattern, and any surface variation or
additional energy
is reflected in a more disordered pattern.

Pity that things get blurry just when we're close enough to see the
interesting structure. But good enough for eyeballing things. Thanks, Nick!

K.