  In this paper, we present an improved framework of the spectral-based
Discrete Dislocation Dynamics (DDD) approach introduced in [1,2], that
establishes a direct connection with the continuum Field Dislocation Mechanics
(FDM) approach. To this end, an analytical method to convert a discrete
dislocation network to its continuous dislocation density tensor representation
is first developed. From there, the mechanical fields are evaluated using a
FDM-based spectral framework, while submesh resolution elastic interactions are
accounted for via the introduction of a rigorous stress splitting procedure
that leverages properties of non-singular dislocation theories. The model
results in a computationally efficient approach for DDD simulations that
enables the use of elastic anisotropy and heterogeneities, while being fully
compatible with recently developed subcycling time-integrators. As an example,
the model is used to perform a work-hardening simulation, and potential
applications that take advantage of the full-field nature of the method are
explored, such as informing FDM models, and efficiently calculating virtual
diffraction patterns.
