The structure of 1/3<111> disconnections at Σ3 {111} twin boundaries in Au was investigated. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations and atomistic simulations showed that the core relaxation of this defect was markedly affected by reversing the sign of the Burgers vector, as oriented with respect to the twin boundary. In particular, two distinct relaxed structures were found: one with a localized core and one with a dissociated core composed of a stacking fault terminated by a Shockley partial. An analysis of the specific pathways available for the defect to relax and of the elastic interactions of the components of the dissociated dislocation for these cases explained the structural difference.

Structural Duality of 1/3(111) Twin-Boundary Disconnections. E.A.Marquis, D.L.Medlin: Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2005, 85[8], 387-94