Chapter 1
Introduction
Abstract Bonds and electrons perform differently at irregularly-coordinated atomic
sites from they do inside large volumes of ideally fully-coordinated systems. The
irregularly-coordinated atomic sites include adatoms, point defects, kink edges, grain
boundaries, liquid and solid skins, nanostructures of various shapes, and the heterocoordinated interfaces, alloys and compounds. These atoms and electrons offer
novel phenomena and properties for basic science and practical applications including atomistic catalysts, adhesion, anticorrosion, friction, welding, high T C superconductors, nuclear radiation protection, topological insulators, etc. Fine-resolution
detection and consistent understanding of the unusual behavior of bonds and electrons at such atomic sites become increasingly important. This part describes the
practitioner’s efforts and progress in this aspect.
Highlights
• Bond relaxation and the associated electron energetics matter the performance of
a substance.
• Irregularly-coordination features the anomalies of defects, nanostructures, surface
and interface.
• Resolving the atomistic local bonding, nonbonding, and electronic energetics is
highly desired.
• Strategies for fine-resolution detection and consistently deeper insight still open
for exploration.
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
C. Q. Sun, Electron and Phonon Spectrometrics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3176-7_1
3
Introduction
Abstract Bonds and electrons perform differently at irregularly-coordinated atomic
sites from they do inside large volumes of ideally fully-coordinated systems. The
irregularly-coordinated atomic sites include adatoms, point defects, kink edges, grain
boundaries, liquid and solid skins, nanostructures of various shapes, and the heterocoordinated interfaces, alloys and compounds. These atoms and electrons offer
novel phenomena and properties for basic science and practical applications including atomistic catalysts, adhesion, anticorrosion, friction, welding, high T C superconductors, nuclear radiation protection, topological insulators, etc. Fine-resolution
detection and consistent understanding of the unusual behavior of bonds and electrons at such atomic sites become increasingly important. This part describes the
practitioner’s efforts and progress in this aspect.
Highlights
• Bond relaxation and the associated electron energetics matter the performance of
a substance.
• Irregularly-coordination features the anomalies of defects, nanostructures, surface
and interface.
• Resolving the atomistic local bonding, nonbonding, and electronic energetics is
highly desired.
• Strategies for fine-resolution detection and consistently deeper insight still open
for exploration.
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
C. Q. Sun, Electron and Phonon Spectrometrics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3176-7_1
3