A proposal for a continuum theory of defective crystals (Q1091837)

The author deals with a continuum theory of slightly defective crystals (with edge or screw dislocations and vacancies or interstitial atoms). One can thus figure out the connection between the microscopic and macroscopic behaviour of the material and its relation to the evolution of defects; it is also possible to explain in this way the ''structure sensitive'' properties of the material, i.e. strength, yield limit etc., starting from a discrete model, the only one which is sufficiently clear from the physical point of view. As a main hypothesis, the crystal defects are considered to be elastic, their deformation having such a property; a systematic analysis of quantities that remain invariant under these definitions is made, so obtaining a natural identification of the defects measures in the model. This point of view is close to ideas inspiring the topological theory of defects and to the gauge approach developed in solid state physics, being motivated also by thermodynamic considerations.