The Indentation-Induced Pop-in Phenomenon and Fracture Behaviors of GaP(100) Single-Crystal

The deformation behaviors and fracture features of GaP(100) single-crystal are investigated by using nano- and micro-scale indentation techniques. The hardness and Young’s modulus were measured by nanoindentation using a Berkovich diamond indenter with continuous contact stiffness measurements (CSM) mode and the values obtained were 12.5 ± 1.2 GPa and 152.6 ± 12.8 GPa, respectively. In addition, the characteristic “pop-in” was observed in the loading portion of load-displacement curve, which was caused by the nucleation and/or propagation of dislocations. An energetic estimation methodology on the associated nanoindentation-induced dislocation numbers resulting from the pop-in events was discussed. Furthermore, the Vickers indentation induced fracture patterns of GaP(100) single-crystal were observed and analyzed using optical microscopy. The obtained fracture toughness K(C) of GaP(100) single-crystal was ~1.7 ± 0.1 MPa·m(1/2), which is substantially higher than the K(IC) values of 0.8 MPa·m(1/2) and 1.0 MPa·m(1/2) previously reported for of single-crystal and polycrystalline GaP, respectively.