A new structure for the fundamental excitation of the reconstructed 30º partial dislocation was proposed on the basis of  ab initio  calculations. This soliton had a rare structure which involved a 5-fold coordinated atom lying near to the dislocation core. The unique electronic structure of this defect was consistent with the electron spin resonance signature of the previously unexplained thermally stable R center of plastically deformed Si. This identification suggested the possible experimental determination of the density of solitons, and the consequent understanding of plastic flow in this material.

G.Csányi, S.Ismail-Beigi, T.A.Arias: Physical Review Letters, 1998, 80[18], 3984-7