A stacking fault is a type of crystallographic defect that occurs in a crystal structure, particularly in metals and semiconductors. It refers to a disruption in the regular sequence of atomic planes in a crystal lattice. In a perfect crystal, the arrangement of atoms follows a specific, repeating pattern. However, a stacking fault disrupts this orderly arrangement by causing a misalignment or a shift in the sequence of the atomic layers.
New to topics? Read the docs here!