Early interdiffusion stages in epitaxially grown reaction couples were investigated by means of high-resolution and Z-contrast electron microscopy. Interdiffusion in this lattice-matched system obeyed Fick’s laws from the outset. A complex 2-stage reaction was observed in lattice-mismatched Cu/Au samples.

Interdiffusion and Reaction of Metals - the Influence and Relaxation of Mismatch-Induced Stress. F.Hartung, G.Schmitz: Physical Review B, 2001, 64[24], 245418 (13pp)