Quasicrystal nucleation and [Formula: see text] module twin growth in an intermetallic glass-forming system.
Nat Commun
; 9(1): 4054, 2018 10 03.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30282982
ABSTRACT
While quasicrystals possess long-range orientational order they lack translation periodicity. Considerable advancements in the elucidation of their structures and formative principles contrast with comparatively uncharted interrelations, as studies bridging the spatial scales from atoms to the macroscale are scarce. Here, we report on the homogeneous nucleation of a single quasicrystalline seed from the undercooled melt of glass-forming NiZr and its continuous growth into a tenfold twinned dendritic microstructure. Observing a series of crystallization events on electrostatically levitated NiZr confirms homogeneous nucleation. Mapping the microstructure with electron backscatter diffraction suggests a unique, distortion-free structure merging a common structure type of binary alloys with a spiral growth mechanism resembling phyllotaxis. A general geometric description, relating all atomic loci, observed by atomic resolution electron microscopy, to a pentagonal [Formula see text] module, explains how the seed's decagonal long-range orientational order is conserved throughout the symmetry breaking steps of twinning and dendritic growth.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Commun
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
CIENCIA
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
República Checa