Models of the cores of dislocations in metals and disclinations in liquid crystals

The development of dislocation core models in metals with non-close-packed crystalline structure is reviewed. The paper starts with the Peierls-Nabarro model generalized to the case of non-planar cores to describe dislocation splitting in bcc metals. Atomistic studies of dislocations cores in bcc metals and intermetallic compounds with L1₂ and B2 structures are then discussed and the principal features of non-planar cores emphasized. Finally, an analogy between dislocations in solid and disclination in liquid crystals is presented and similarities and differences in the treatment of core structures of these defects in solid and liquid crystals discussed.Dedicated to Dr. Frantiek Kroupa in honour of his 70^th birthday.This work was supported by the U.S.-Czech S & T Program under contract No. 94048, by the National Science Foundation-International Programs, INT-93-07418 and by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic under contract No 106/93/0513.