Direct Visualization of Dislocation Dynamics in Grain Boundary Scars

Details Direct Visualization of Dislocation Dynamics in Grain Boundary Scars Direct Visualization of Dislocation Dynamics in Grain Boundary Scars

2005-06-15

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0506366v1

Nat. Mat. 4 (2005) 407

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

11 pages, 4 figures, pdf format

Scientific paper

10.1038/nmat1376

Mesoscale objects with unusual structural features may serve as the analogues of atoms in the design of larger-scale materials with novel optical, electronic or mechanical behaviour. In this paper we investigate the structural features and the equilibrium dynamics of micron-scale spherical crystals formed by polystyrene particles adsorbed on the surface of a spherical water droplet. The ground state of sufficiently large crystals possesses finite-length grain boundaries (scars). We determine the elastic response of the crystal by measuring single-particle diffusion and quantify the fluctuations of individual dislocations about their equilibrium positions within a scar determining the dislocation spring constants. We observe rapid dislocation glide with fluctuations over the barriers separating one local Peierls minimum from the next and rather weak binding of dislocations to their associated scars. The long-distance (renormalised) dislocation diffusion glide constant is extracted directly from the experimental data and is found to be moderately faster than single particle diffusion. We are also able to determine the parameters of the Peierls potential induced by the underlying crystalline lattice.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Direct Visualization of Dislocation Dynamics in Grain Boundary Scars does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Direct Visualization of Dislocation Dynamics in Grain Boundary Scars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Direct Visualization of Dislocation Dynamics in Grain Boundary Scars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-288551