Analysis of dissociated dislocations in a deformed bicrystal close to the rhombohedral twin orientation in α-alumina

A bicrystal close to a rhombohedral twin orientation in α-alumina has been deformed by compression at high temperature. After deformation the twin contained a periodic array of intrinsic dislocations. This configuration is interpreted by the decomposition of incoming basal lattice dislocations into interfacial disconnections and further interactions between sessile and glissile products. The dislocations are widely dissociated and the separation width between partials being close to 30 Å. The translation state of the interfacial structure between partials is different from those of the perfect twin. Possible structural models are envisaged and simulated using ab initio calculations and the less efficient Streitz and Mintmire modelling. One model in particular fits the experimental image rather well. The interfacial energies are higher than those estimated using elasticity theory.