A theoretical model of two-phase crystal–glass composite materials was suggested which was based upon the disclination description of glassy structures. In the framework of the model, the crystal–glass composite was described as being a solid that contained nanoscale configurations of disclination–dislocation loops in the glassy phase. Specific defects at the crystal/glass interface were defined and theoretically described. These were misfit disclinations; generated as extensions of parent wedge disclinations present in the glassy phase. The defect ensemble in the crystal–glass composite was characterized by the presence of nanoscale inhomogeneities in both the defect density and stress in the vicinity of the crystal/glass interface. The formulae for the stress fields created by ensembles of the disclination–dislocation loops in crystal–glass composites were derived. Using these formulae, the energy of the crystal/glass interface was estimated.

Nanoscale Defect Structures at Crystal/Glass Interfaces. S.V.Bobylev, I.A.Ovidko, A.E.Romanov, A.G.Sheinerman: Journal of Physics - Condensed Matter, 2005, 17[4], 619-34