Computer simulation of field-ion images from interstitial alloys

Abstract

Computer simulation has been used as an aid in the interpretation of field-ion patterns from interstitial alloys. Programmes were run for iridium oxide, cementite and tungsten carbide. The small number of spots in experimental images of these materials may be ascribed in part to the larger effective atomic volume of the visible species. In addition there appears to be a small decrease in shell thickness compared to that for a pure metal. This contrasts with the case of substitutional ordered alloys where there is an increase in shell thickness.