A model is presented for a possible mechanism of screw dislocation (includi
ng micropipe) nucleation in silicon carbide. The model is based on the obse
rvation of micropipe nucleation at the sites of foreign material inclusions
using synchrotron white beam x-ray topography and transmission optical mic
roscopy. It is shown that incorporation of the inclusion into the growing c
rystal can lead to deformation of the protruding ledge which constitutes th
e overgrowing layer. Accommodation of this deformation into the crystal lat
tice leads to the production of pairs of opposite sign screw dislocations w
hich then propagate with the growing crystal. Evidence for the existence of
such pairs of dislocations is presented. (C) 1999 American Institute of Ph
ysics. [S0003-6951(99)01332-7].