Atomic structure of metal-oxide interfaces. Studied by high resolution electron microscopy

This thesis deals with the atomic structure of interfaces between metals and oxides. A principal feature of the atomic structure of these interfaces is the fact that the lattice parameters of the two constituents usually do not match, leading to a certain geometrical misfit. Consequently atoms near the interface do not all have the same local environment. If there is an physical interaction across the interface this will result in energy differences between the atoms, some of them residing in more comfortable position than others. The energy of the interface can be lowered if some of the atoms move towards these favourable positions while others are forced into unfavourable positions. This results in the formation of regionsw here coherenceh as increased, and other areas where coherence has decreased. The latter are interpreted as the cores of misfit dislocations. ... Zie: Summary