An electron diffraction examination of thin films of aluminium and gold prepared by vacuum evaporation

Abstract

Abstract Thin films of aluminium and gold prepared by vacuum evaporation have been examined by electron diffraction, and accurate measurements made of the interplanar spacings. The results can be interpreted either (a) by assuming the crystals to be in the form of disks parallel to (111) planes and subject to a homogeneous stress which is predominantly a tension parallel to the [111] direction, or (b) by assuming the crystals to be large and to contain a sessile dislocation. The latter interpretation is preferred. It implies that in the majority of the crystals there is an extra (111) sheet of atoms extending over about 10% of the crystal.