Point-defect formation in the nonconservative motion of dislocations under the action of a sign-variable load

The features of the mechanism of point-defect formation in the nonconservative motion of dislocations with steps under the action of a sign-variable load in alkali-halide crystals is considered. Within the framework of the model, taking account of vacancy emission by steps on spiral dislocations and of vacancy absorption by dislocations, an experimental dependence of the excess vacancy concentration on the amplitude of the mechanical stress at the initial stage of deformation is found.- It is shown that, at the stage of linear strengthening, the excess vacancy concentration must reach saturation.