Glide dislocation nucleation from dislocation nodes at semi-coherent {1 1 1} Cu–Ni interfaces

Using atomistic simulations and dislocation theory on a model system of semi-coherent {1 1 1} interfaces, it is shown that misfit dislocation nodes adopt multiple atomic arrangements corresponding to the creation and redistribution of excess volume at the nodes. Four distinctive node structures were identified: volume-smeared nodes with (i) spiral or (ii) straight dislocation patterns, and volume-condensed nodes with (iii) triangular or (iv) hexagonal dislocation patterns. Volume-smeared nodes contain interfacial dislocations lying in the Cu–Ni interface but volume-condensed nodes contain two sets of interfacial dislocations in the two adjacent interfaces and jogs across the atomic layer between the two adjacent interfaces. Under biaxial tension/compression applied parallel to the interface, it is shown that the nucleation of lattice dislocations is preferred at the nodes and is correlated with the reduction of excess volume at the nodes.