Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
It is demonstrated that the most important geometrical parameter governing the identification of “special” interfaces is the interplanar spacing of the lattice planes parallel to the interfacial plane and not, as often assumed, the inverse density of coincident-site lattice points, Σ. A simple geometrical selection rule for the identification of “special” or “favored” boundaries is formulated on the basis of the interplanar lattice constant.