Representation of dislocation cores using Nye tensor distributions

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how the cores of atomistically simulated dislocations in Cu and Al can be represented by a distribution of infinitesimal dislocations described by appropriate components of the Nye tensor. Components calculated from atomic positions in the dislocated crystal are displayed as contour plots on the plane normal to the dislocation line. The method provides an accurate and instructive means for characterizing dislocation core structures and calculating the total Burgers vector.