The theory of stacking-fault energies in close-packed metals

Expressions are derived for the energies of certain types of stacking fault in metals with close-packed structures by carrying out perturbation calculations to second order in the pseudopotential. The results of calculations for Al, Pb, Mg and Zn are given and compared with experimental data; the sources of discrepancies are discussed. A relation between stacking-fault energies and the energy difference between the two types of close-packed structure is shown.