Modeling Dislocations Using a Periodic Cell

Abstract

Dislocations are lattice defects responsible for many mechanical behaviors of crystalline materials, ranging from their growth to deformation and failure [1]. Dislocation motion leads to plastic deformation. In some cases, dislocation interactions give rise to materials strengthening, while in other cases they participate in ductile fracture and fatigue. Dislocation nucleation and subsequent multiplication are important processes for many new technologies on thin film and micro-mechanical structures. Examples include relaxation of strained heteroepitaxial semiconductor layers [2], and materials characterization by micro- and nano-indentations [3].