Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 March 2011
Monazite (LaPO4) was indented at room temperature. Deformation twin boundaries and stacking faults were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Kinked deformation twins were also characterized and analyzed. Three types of stacking faults associated with climb-dissociated partial dislocations were observed. Two were found on twin boundaries, and a third in the lattice. Formation mechanisms are discussed. The superimposition of stacking faults along twin boundaries during deformation twinning and the glide of climb-dissociated partial dislocations allowed by stacking fault migration are discussed. The possible relationship between the formation mechanisms for these defects and the low- temperature recrystallization and self-annealing of defects in monazite is considered.