Materials Interfaces: Atomic-level Structure and Properties

This reference work, prepard by investigators from several distinct segments of the interface research community, focuses attention on the opportunities that exist in an exceedingy active area of materials research. In spite of the technological importance of materials interfaces, basic understanding of their atomic-level structure and properties is still very much limited and it is now recognized that an interdisciplinary approach which also combines theory, experiment and computer simulation holds the greatest promise for advances. By bringing together critical reviews on various types of solid interfaces, this book provides a reference on the study of interfacial structure and phenomena, which emphasizes the commonalities of different systems and the value of atomic-level insights that can be gained by an integrated approach. The introductory chapters highlight the common aspects of many interface problems. The main body of the book is divided into four parts. The first two sections are devoted to bulk interfaces, particularly grain boundaries, and to semi-bulk and thin-film interfaces. Parts 3 and 4 deal with interfacial properties of direct concern in practical applications.