In the realm of nanotechnology, understanding the atomic structure of materials is crucial for manipulating their properties at the nanoscale. Vacancies and interstitials are types of point defects in a crystal lattice that play significant roles in defining the material's characteristics.
A vacancy is a type of defect where an atom is missing from its regular lattice site. On the other hand, an interstitial defect occurs when an extra atom is situated in a space that is not normally occupied within the crystal structure.
