Disclinations and disconnections in minerals and metals

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jan 7;117(1):196-204. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1915140117. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Abstract

A different type of defect, the coherency disclination, is added to disclination types. Disconnections that include disclination content are considered. A criterion is suggested to distinguish disconnections with dislocation content from those with disclination content. Electron microscopy reveals unit disconnections in a low albite grain boundary, defects important in grain boundary sliding. Disconnections of varying step heights are displayed and shown to define both deformed and recovered structures.

Keywords: disclination; disconnection; metal; mineral.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.