The structure of some metallic deposits on a copper single crystal as determined by electron-diffraction

Abstract

Nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, silver, chromium and cobalt were deposited electrolytically on etched copper single crystals and the structure of the deposits was found by electron-diffraction. At small current densities the layers are oriented except in the case of zinc and cadmium. The nickel and cobalt deposits give patterns containing additional spots, lines and irrational spots. It is shown that these are accounted for by assuming the occurrence of repeated twinning on (111) planes, the additional spots being due to twinned lattices and the lines due to twin planes. The twin planes must be considered separately and not simply as part of the lattices on either side of them. The thin sheets of lattice thus formed give rise to the irrational spots observed. Finally, a discussion is given of the factors determining the orientation of a layer of metal on the copper crystal.