On the core structure of dislocations and the mechanical properties of silicon

Abstract

Different core structures have been evidenced in silicon which control, respectively, low and high temperature deformation. Indeed perfect shuffle dislocations have been found to build deformation microstructures in the temperature range and stress where silicon is usually brittle. In contrast, the plastic regime is controlled by dissociated glide set dislocations. This paper aims at relating the plastic properties of silicon to the core structure of dislocations and in particular to the existence and the properties of these two core structures.

Keywords:

• dislocation
• silicon
• shuffle set
• glide set
• point defect

Acknowledgements

The author thanks his colleagues J.L. Demenet, J. Godet and L. Pizzagalli at P’-DPMM (formerly LMP and PHYMAT) for stimulating and fruitful discussions.