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Metallic Phase with Long-Range Orientational Order and No Translational Symmetry

Physical Review Letters · 1984 · Vol. 53(20) · pp. 1951–1953

D. Shechtman✉(Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)I. A. Blech(Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)D. Gratias(Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)John W. Cahn(Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)

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Abstract

We have observed a metallic solid (Al-14-at.%-Mn) with long-range orientational order, but with icosahedral point group symmetry, which is inconsistent with lattice translations. Its diffraction spots are as sharp as those of crystals but cannot be indexed to any Bravais lattice. The solid is metastable and forms from the melt by a first-order transition.

Quasicrystal Structures and Properties nanoparticles nucleation surface interactions Solidification and crystal growth phenomenaIcosahedral symmetryBravais latticeTranslational symmetryMetastabilityCondensed matter physicsQuasicrystalMaterials scienceLattice (music)DiffractionShort range order