It was pointed out that the ability to perform atomic-level simulations of dislocation-core structures, based upon first-principles or atomistic calculations, had increased greatly. High-resolution electron microscopic studies were undertaken in order to provide experimental benchmarks for such models. Transmission electron microscopic observations, made in situ, were used to identify and image screw and 60º dislocations. Computer-based image analyses were used to characterize slight in-plane atomic-level displacements, and direct comparisons with image simulations were used to measure the separation between dissociated Shockley partial dislocations. The measured separations were found to be in good agreement with recent theoretical predictions which were based upon first-principles calculations.

Experimental Observations of Dislocation Core Structures in Gold and Iridium. T.J.Balk, K.J.Hemker: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2001, 309-310, 108-112