Quantized dislocations for functional and quantum materials

Abstract

Dislocations have a profound influence on materials functional properties. In this perspective, we discuss the recent development of quantized dislocations - a theoretical tool that aims to compute the role of dislocations on materials' functionalities, at a full quantum field theoretical level. After a brief discussion of the motivation and a pedagogical introduction of quantization, we focus on a few case studies of dislon theory, to see how dislon can be applied to solve a given materials functionality problem and lead to new predictions. We conclude by visioning a few more open questions. With the aid of the powerful quantum field theory, the dislon approach may enable plenty opportunities to compute multiple functional and quantum properties in a dislocated crystal at a new level of clarity.