We report on a novel extension of the recent phase-field crystal (PFC) method
introduced in [Elder et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., Vol. 88, 245701:1-4 (2002)],
which incorporates elastic interactions as well as crystal plasticity and
diffusive dynamics. In our model, elastic interactions are mediated through
wave modes that propagate on time scales many orders of magnitude slower than
atomic vibrations but still much faster than diffusive times scales. This
allows us to preserve the quintessential advantage of the PFC model: the
ability to simulate atomic-scale interactions and dynamics on time scales many
orders of magnitude longer than characteristic vibrational time scales. We
demonstrate the two different modes of propagation in our model and show that
simulations of grain growth and elasto-plastic deformation are consistent with
the microstructural properties of nanocrystals.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure