Growth rate of hydroxyapatite c-face in a simulated body fluid was measured for the first time by moire phase shift interferometry to investigate the growth mechanism. Detailed surface morphology was observed by AFM indicating that the growth proceeded by multiple two-dimensionai nucleation mode and the spirai growth was never observed Edge free energy of c-face was calculated as 3.3 kT from the result of the growth rate measurements, which was the same order as that of the macromolecular protein crystals.
