Kinetic Theory of Dislocation Climb. II. Steady State Edge Dislocation Climb

Abstract

Quantitative expressions for the steady state climb rate of a straight unconstrained edge dislocation are obtained. The results represent specific solutions to a general kinetic model of climb developed in preceding work (Part I). Solutions are obtained for the case where interstitials in the lattice can be neglected compared to vacancies, where the dominant point defects responsible for fast diffusion along dislocation cores are vacancies, and where unlike jogs attract one another. No a priori assumptions are made about the ability of the dislocation or its jogs to maintain local point defect equilibrium. A wide range of conditions is treated including positive and negative climb where the vacancy concentrations may be either near or far from equilibrium. Positive and negative climb are shown to be inherently different processes, and it is found that dislocations tend to get joggy in crystals far from equilibrium. Several brief applications to problems of current interest are given. A need for critical experiments is emphasized.