It was noted that the dislocation density tensor could be used to localize the dislocation core. A method was presented for experimentally obtaining the dislocation core location and size via high-resolution transmission electron microscopic observations, using geometrical phase analysis. The experimental results were then compared with the results of atomistic simulations, and the applicability of continuum elasticity and its modifications to describing the results were evaluated. The analysis was performed for partial dislocations in wurtzite GaN. Higher-order gradient elasticity theory was found to be in good agreement with experimental observations.

Dislocation Core Investigation by Geometric Phase Analysis and the Dislocation Density Tensor. J.Kioseoglou, G.P.Dimitrakopulos, P.Komninou, T.Karakostas, E.C.Aifantis: Journal of Physics D, 2008, 41[3], 035408