Long-range strain fields associated with dislocation cores at an oxide interface were shown to be sufficient enough to create significant variations in the chemical composition around the core (Cottrell atmospheres). Such stress-assisted diffusion of cations towards the cores was proposed to significantly impact the properties of nanoscale functional devices. One figure showed the Z-contrast image of a single dislocation core at an oxide interface.

Direct Evidence for Cation Non-Stoichiometry and Cottrell Atmospheres around Dislocation Cores in Functional Oxide Interfaces. M.Arredondo, Q.M.Ramasse, M.Weyland, R.Mahjoub, I.Vrejoiu, D.Hesse, N.D.Browning, M.Alexe, P.Munroe, V.Nagarajan: Advanced Materials, 2010, 22[22], 2430–4