Original source 

Physicists Solve Mystery of Two-Dimensional Quasicrystal Formation from Metal Oxides

Quasicrystals are complex structures that have symmetries that are not found in ordinary crystals. They were first discovered in the 1980s and have since been found in many different materials, including metal oxides. However, the formation of quasicrystals from metal oxides has remained a mystery to physicists for decades. Recently, a team of physicists has finally solved this mystery, shedding light on the formation of these fascinating structures.

What are Quasicrystals?

Before delving into the formation of quasicrystals from metal oxides, it is important to understand what quasicrystals are. Quasicrystals are complex structures that have symmetries that are not found in ordinary crystals. They were first discovered in the 1980s by Dan Shechtman, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for his discovery.

Unlike ordinary crystals, which have repeating patterns, quasicrystals have patterns that do not repeat. This means that they have a unique structure that cannot be described using traditional crystallographic methods. Quasicrystals also have symmetries that are not found in ordinary crystals, such as five-fold symmetry.

Formation of Two-Dimensional Quasicrystals from Metal Oxides

The formation of quasicrystals from metal oxides has remained a mystery to physicists for decades. However, a team of physicists has recently solved this mystery by studying the formation of two-dimensional quasicrystals from metal oxides.

The team used a technique called molecular beam epitaxy to grow thin films of metal oxides on a substrate. They then used scanning tunneling microscopy to study the structure of the films at the atomic level.

They found that the two-dimensional quasicrystals formed when the metal oxide films were grown under specific conditions. Specifically, the films needed to be grown at a low temperature and with a specific ratio of metal to oxygen atoms.

The team also found that the formation of the quasicrystals was due to the presence of oxygen vacancies in the metal oxide films. These vacancies created a unique structure that had five-fold symmetry, which is characteristic of quasicrystals.

Implications of the Discovery

The discovery of how two-dimensional quasicrystals form from metal oxides has important implications for materials science and nanotechnology. Quasicrystals have unique properties that make them useful in a variety of applications, such as coatings, electronics, and catalysis.

By understanding how quasicrystals form from metal oxides, researchers can now design materials with specific properties by controlling the growth conditions. This could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties that are not found in ordinary crystals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, physicists have finally solved the mystery of how two-dimensional quasicrystals form from metal oxides. The formation of these structures is due to the presence of oxygen vacancies in the metal oxide films, which create a unique structure with five-fold symmetry. This discovery has important implications for materials science and nanotechnology, as it allows researchers to design materials with specific properties by controlling the growth conditions.

FAQs

1. What are quasicrystals?

Quasicrystals are complex structures that have symmetries that are not found in ordinary crystals. They were first discovered in the 1980s and have since been found in many different materials, including metal oxides.

2. How do two-dimensional quasicrystals form from metal oxides?

Two-dimensional quasicrystals form from metal oxides when they are grown under specific conditions, such as a low temperature and a specific ratio of metal to oxygen atoms. The formation is due to the presence of oxygen vacancies in the metal oxide films.

3. What are the implications of the discovery?

The discovery of how two-dimensional quasicrystals form from metal oxides has important implications for materials science and nanotechnology. By understanding how quasicrystals form, researchers can design materials with specific properties that are not found in ordinary crystals.

4. What is molecular beam epitaxy?

Molecular beam epitaxy is a technique used to grow thin films of materials on a substrate. It involves heating the material in a vacuum and directing a beam of atoms or molecules onto the substrate to create a thin film.

This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

Most frequent words in this abstract:
quasicrystals (6), formation (4), metal (4), oxides (4), mystery (3), physicists (3)