Abstract
This chapter reviews the recent applications of photostimulated electron emission (PEEE) to illustrate the unique capabilities of this new approach for the study of metal deformation. Two types of instrumentation have been developed for PEEE: (1) a photoelectron microscope, which images the exo-electrons directly to provide microscopic information on the fracture of the surface oxide, and (2) a laser scanning system wherein the measurements of the intensity of PEEE provide quantitative information on the distribution and extent of the surface deformation of the metal. The chapter discusses the recent applications of these techniques through the observations of the modes of fracture of anodic oxide films on aluminum, measurements of localized fatigue damage in hardened steels, and observations of the plastic zone that controls fatigue crack propagation. The intensity of PEEE can also be related to the surface deformation of the metal. However, the specific relationship is a function of both the fracture strain and the mode of fracture of the surface oxide involved.
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