Analysis of a screw dislocation interacting with an elliptical nano inhomogeneity

The interaction between a screw dislocation and an elliptical nano inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite matrix is investigated. The interface stress effects of the nano inhomogeneity are accounted for with the Gurtin–Murdoch model. The stress fields inside the inhomogeneity and matrix are then solved with the complex variable and conformal mapping method. The solution is of semi-analytical nature and is verified by studying a degenerated case wherein a screw dislocation interacts with a circular nano inhomogeneity. The image force on the screw dislocation is then calculated. The influences of the elastic mismatch between the inhomogeneity and matrix, the interfacial properties, the aspect ratio of the elliptic nano inhomogeneity and the position of the screw dislocation on the image force are systematically discussed.