First-principle calculations showed that both partials could be electrically active. In particular, it was shown that the Ga(g) core partials were a good candidate for the observed absorption peak, at 2.4eV, revealed by energy loss spectroscopic measurements. The symmetrical and asymmetrical reconstructions had relatively close formation energies. The results suggested that the asymmetrical reconstructions, characterized by strong bonds along the dislocation line were favorable in intrinsic materials. However, in strongly p and n-type materials or in a high stress field, the symmetrical reconstructions could become energetically more stable. These reconstructions were always electrically active, with a deep band across the forbidden gap.

Structure and Energy of Partial Dislocations in Wurtzite-GaN. G.Savini, A.T.Blumenau, M.I.Heggie, S.Öberg: Physica Status Solidi C, 2007, 4[8], 2945-9