Atomistic Deformation of Surfaces

—Sliding and Migration of Crystalline Boundaries—

Abstract

Atomistic deformation processes in twin boundaries of gold were demonstrated. Point contacts of gold were produced by the contact between nanometer tips using piezo-driving. The sliding occurs at twin boundaries inside the point contacts during subsequent compression and retraction. The migration of boundary planes, grain rotation and the variation in boundary planes were simultaneously observed. For typical twin boundaries, the relation between the sliding and migration was analyzed. The results were explained based on Coincidence-Site-Lattice and DSC theories.