Quantum effects in low temperature plastic deformation

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Abstract
A quantum mechanical calculation of the transition rate of a dislocation segment across an obstacle of finite width is performed. Compared with previous theories the achievement of the new treatment is that the finite compliance of the force distance profile is taken into account in the evaluation of the oscillatory modes. As a consequence, not only the DEBYEtemperature of the dislocation line but also the obstacle compliance enters the transition rate and determines the temperature regime in which quantum effects become observable. Furthermore, the results of classical thermal activation theory that is valid at high temperatures are for the first time derived from first principles.