Estimation of stacking fault and twin energies in transition metals

As twins and stacking faults play an important role in the plastic deformation of metals, the objective of this research thesis is, by using an as correct as possible description of band d state density, to assess the internal energy of twins and stacking faults in metals with a CFC, HC or CC crystal structure. If, in transition metals, cohesion mainly results from d electron attraction, other terms intervening in crystal equilibrium must also be taken into account. Thus, the author proposes a decomposition of cohesion energy. The geometry of twins and stacking faults in compact phases is defined, and energy calculations are presented and discussed. Alloying effects are then addressed, as well as a general comparison with available experimental results. After a geometric description of twins and stacking faults in CC structures, their energies are calculated for a Gaussian distribution of state density. For higher order moments, defect energy due to d orbital anisotropy is assessed, and then applied to energy and stability calculations in twins and stacking faults for various relaxed atomic configurations