Abstract
A method is proposed for measuring the density of mobile dislocations in KC1 crystals during deformation. This method is based on the fact that edge dislocations in ionic crystals carry electric charges, so that their motion creates an electric potential difference which can be measured. It is found that the density of mobile dislocations increases during constant strain rate compression, remains the same during the strain rate cycling, and decreases to a steady value during stress relaxation. Such information could not be obtained before.