First-principles calculations showed that both of the 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 spectroscopy measurements. The symmetric and asymmetric reconstructions have relatively close formation energies. The results suggested that the asymmetrical reconstructions, characterized by strong bonds along the dislocation line, were favourable in intrinsic materials. However, in strongly p and n-type materials or in high stress fields, 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