Point Defect Structures in Crystalline Materials

Abstract

An introductory review is given of point defects in crystalline solids. The aim of the article is to provide the basic information that will act as the foundation for other chapters in this Volume. The information is mainly in a descriptive form and outlines the major types of point defect, an introduction to defect thermodynamics and a survey of the types of dominant point defects in the different solid types. Also included is a brief survey of the methods of determining point defect concentrations and the effects of defects on physical properties, particularly atomic transport.