The emission of atoms and molecules accompanying fracture of single-crystal MgO.

We have been investigating the emission of particles due to deformation and fracture of materials. We observe the emission of electrons (exoelectron emission), ions, neutral species, photons (triboluminescence), as well as long wavelength electromagnetic radiation; collectively we refer to these emissions as fractoemission. In this paper we describe measurements of the neutral emission accompanying the fracture of single-crystal MgO. Masses detected are tentatively assigned to the emission of H2, CH4, H2O, CO, O2, CO2, and atomic Mg. Other hydrocarbons are also observed. The time dependencies of some of these emissions relative to fracture are presented for two different loading conditions.