nabarro

Nabarro is a surname of European origin. It is most often encountered in scientific literature in connection with dislocation theory and diffusion processes in solids. In materials science, the name is associated with the Nabarro–Herring model, which describes diffusion-controlled creep in crystalline solids at high temperatures. The model, named for F. R. Nabarro and J. P. Herring, explains how atoms migrate through the lattice via vacancies to accommodate deformation, and it predicts how creep rate depends on temperature, grain size, and diffusion properties. This mechanism contrasts with grain-boundary diffusion creep, known as the Coble mechanism.

Beyond the Nabarro–Herring model, the surname appears in biographical and historical contexts related to scientists who contributed to solid-state physics and metallurgy. As with many surnames, individuals bearing the name Nabarro have appeared in various regions and fields, but specific notable figures are most commonly cited in connection with dislocation theory and diffusion in solids.

In summary, nabarro most prominently refers to a surname linked to foundational work in the theory of crystal defects and diffusion creep, most famously through the Nabarro–Herring model. The term is primarily of interest within the history of materials science and solid-state physics, where it denotes a set of concepts describing how microscopic diffusion processes influence macroscopic deformation. See also dislocations, diffusion creep, and Nabarro–Herring model for related topics.