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High-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies of a near [Sigma]11 grain boundary in [alpha]-alumina

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Ceramic Society; (United States)
; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Max-Planck-Institut fuer Metallforschung, Stuttgart (Germany). Inst. fuer Werkstoffwissenschaft
  2. E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, DE (United States)
The atomic structure of a near [Sigma]11 (N[Sigma]11) grain boundary in ultrapure [alpha]-Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] bicrystals was determined by quantitative high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). High-resolution imaging revealed an atomically sharp interface with a characteristic periodic pattern at (0[bar 1]11) [parallel] (01[bar 1]1) facets. The pattern was analyzed by comparing the HRTEM micrographs with simulated images of different structures that had been relaxed by static-lattice calculations. The best agreement with experiment was reached for the grain boundary structure with the lowest energy. Although this structure reproduces the relative translation state of the adjacent crystals to within 0.02 nm, the calculated structure was not in complete agreement with the periodic pattern at the grain boundary. The origin of this deference is probably due to a slight misalignment of the two crystals adjacent to the boundary.
OSTI ID:
7207491
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Ceramic Society; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the American Ceramic Society; (United States) Vol. 77:2; ISSN 0002-7820; ISSN JACTAW
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English