Atomic position

In solid-state physics, the atomic layer is a layer of a crystal whose thickness corresponds to an atomic distance in the crystal lattice of the solid .

Unsupported individual atomic layers cannot normally be produced; the few exceptions include graphene and the similar hexagonal boron nitride . Self-supporting layers of three closely bonded atomic layers can be made from some transition metal chalcogenides such as molybdenum sulfide (MoS ₂ ). In comparison, gold leaf can be made thin in thicknesses of 100 to 1000 atomic layers (approx. 100 nanometers).

The epitaxy is concerned with the growth of thin films; In many cases, a single atomic layer of a material can be applied to a substrate by coating in an ultra-high vacuum or electrochemistry. Even with the adsorption of gases on a surface, a single atomic layer can form on a surface under suitable conditions (temperature, pressure). Such atomic layers on substrates are called monolayers .

As a rough rule, one atomic layer contains about 10 ¹⁹ atoms per square meter.

See also: mineralogy , crystallography