Book excerpt: Atomic or point defects are disturbances of the periodicity of the crystal lattice extending over only a few atomic distances. Many physical and mechanical properties of solids are sensitive to their presence. Furthermore other defects which are crucial to material behaviour are influenced by their interaction with atomic defects. A detailed knowledge of production mechanisms and properties of point defects is therefore essential for assessing and for understanding the atomistic as well as the macroscopic behaviour of materials. As a result of the use of new research methods in recent years, such information is now available for almost all pure metals, for many dilute alloys and for some concentrated alloys. However, a critical and comprehensive collection of these data has so far been missing. The aim of the present volume is to close this gap by sifting, evaluating and compiling data on vacancies and self-interstitial atoms in solid metals. A chapter on the element helium is included because of the exeptional position of He as an "alloying" element and its role in radiation damage phenomena.