Atomic-scale structure of materials

This unit will explore the structure of materials on the atomic scale and the techniques used to characterise this structure. The arrangements of atoms within solids will be explored in detail, with a focus on crystalline materials. The topic of crystallography will be formally explored, including crystal structures, lattices, motifs, symmetry elements and the stereographic projection. There will also be an introduction to defects in crystalline materials, including vacancies, interstitials, dislocations and grain boundaries. The unit will then go on to explore methods for studying such structures and features, discussing diffraction of X‐Rays, electrons and light and imaging techniques which underpin the operation of microscopes used to study atomic structure.