Dislocation creates 'whirlpool' that pulls surface atoms into crystal

From: Neutron (neutron_p_at_lycos.com)
Date: 06/10/04 

Date: 10 Jun 2004 03:11:26 GMT

http://www.physorg.com/news160.html

Developing novel ways to control the motion of atoms on surfaces is
essential for the future of nanotechnology. Now, researchers at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have found a phenomenon of
dislocation-driven nucleation and growth that creates holes that
spiral into a surface and pull atoms into crystalline solids.

The newly discovered mechanism identified as a series of spiral
steps around dislocations terminating at the surface of titanium
nitride, a technologically important material used in microelectronics
and hard coatings could potentially be put to use in controlling

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