Phason modes in quasicrystals

Abstract

Studies on phason modes in quasicrystals, but more generally in aperiodic phases, which encompass incommensurately modulated phases, composites and quasicrystals, are reviewed. After an introduction on phason modes in aperiodic phases, the hydrodynamic theory is presented. The case of incommensurately modulated phases is illustrated by results on ThBr₄. Atomic models used to simulate phason modes in quasicrystals are then presented, followed by an overview of results obtained for icosahedral and decagonal phases.

Keywords:

• diffraction methods
• quasicrystals

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank S. Francoual, R. Currat and T. Janssen for fruitful discussions.