Quasicrystal

Definition

A quasicrystal is a unique type of solid that exhibits an ordered structure but lacks periodicity, meaning it does not repeat itself in a regular pattern like conventional crystals. They often display symmetries, such as five-fold symmetry, which is not allowed in traditional crystals, and this unconventional arrangement gives rise to fascinating physical properties and patterns. Quasicrystals can be studied through various mathematical approaches, including Penrose tilings, which provide a way to visualize their non-repeating patterns in higher dimensions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Quasicrystals were first discovered in 1982 by Dan Shechtman, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work.
2. They can be formed from different materials, including metals and alloys, and exhibit unique mechanical and thermal properties compared to traditional crystals.
3. The unique symmetry found in quasicrystals can lead to interesting optical phenomena, such as diffraction patterns that are characteristic of their non-periodic nature.
4. Quasicrystals challenge traditional crystallography concepts, leading to new insights in material science and condensed matter physics.
5. They can be modeled mathematically using Penrose tilings and other similar non-repeating patterns, allowing researchers to better understand their structure and properties.

Review Questions

• How do quasicrystals differ from traditional crystals in terms of structure and symmetry?
  • Quasicrystals differ from traditional crystals primarily because they exhibit a non-periodic structure while still maintaining an ordered arrangement of atoms. Traditional crystals have periodic arrangements that repeat regularly in three-dimensional space, whereas quasicrystals can display unique symmetries, such as five-fold symmetry, which are not possible in conventional crystalline structures. This distinction leads to different physical properties and behaviors, making quasicrystals an intriguing subject of study in materials science.
• Discuss the significance of Penrose tilings in understanding the structure of quasicrystals.
  • Penrose tilings are significant because they provide a mathematical framework for visualizing the non-periodic order found in quasicrystals. These tilings use a set of shapes that fit together without repeating, mimicking the atomic arrangement within quasicrystals. By studying Penrose tilings, researchers gain insights into how quasicrystalline structures form and how their unique properties emerge from this aperiodic order.
• Evaluate the implications of quasicrystal research on advancements in material science and technology.
  • Research on quasicrystals has profound implications for advancements in material science and technology. The unique properties of quasicrystals, such as enhanced hardness and reduced friction, open up new possibilities for creating advanced materials with specific desired traits. Additionally, understanding the formation and behavior of quasicrystals challenges existing paradigms in crystallography and offers innovative approaches to designing new materials at the nanoscale, potentially leading to breakthroughs in various industries such as electronics and nanotechnology.

Related terms

Penrose tiling: A non-periodic tiling pattern created by using a set of shapes that fit together in a specific way, often associated with the study of quasicrystals.

Aperiodic order: A type of order exhibited by quasicrystals where the arrangement of atoms is systematic but does not repeat regularly over space.

Higher dimensions: Mathematical constructs involving spaces beyond the familiar three dimensions, often used to analyze the complex structures of quasicrystals.