Atomic Matching Across Internal Interfaces

Abstract

AbstractThe atomic structure of internal interfaces in dense-packed systems has been investigated by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). Similarities between the atomic relaxations in heterophase Interfaces and certain largeangle grain boundaries have been observed. In both types of interfaces localization of misfit leads to regions of good atomic matching within the interface separated by misfit dislocation-like defects. It appears that, whenever possible, the GB structures assume configurations in which the atomic coordination is not too much different from the ideal lattice. It is suggested that these kinds of relaxations primarily occur whenever the translational periods along the GB are large or when the interatomic distances are incommensurate. Incorporation of low index planes into the GB appears to lead to preferred, i.e. low energy structures, that can be quite dense with good atomic matching across a large fraction of the interface.