Direct observation of the coalescence process between nanoscale dislocation loops with different Burgers vectors

The dynamic behavior of nanoscale prismatic dislocation loops can significantly affect the microstructural variation in crystalline materials upon processes such as plastic deformation and high-energy particle irradiation. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, this study experimentally demonstrates a reaction which follows the collision between two loops with different Burgers vectors in α-iron. Even after the formation of the junction, the reaction progresses further, unlike conventional reactions between dislocations of macroscopic length, and the larger loop finally absorbs the smaller one.