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Defect-Free Growth of Decagonal Quasicrystals around Obstacles

Kelly L. Wang1,*, Insung Han2,*,†, Domagoj Fijan3, Sharon C. Glotzer1,2,3,4,5,‡, and Ashwin J. Shahani2,3,§

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Present address: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
  • ‡Contact author: sglotzer@umich.edu
  • §Contact author: shahani@umich.edu

Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 166203 – Published 17 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/bsbs-rryl

Abstract

Quasicrystals are aperiodic solids with exotic physical properties. The mechanisms driving their growth are far from understood, particularly in the presence of rigid obstacles. Using in situ synchrotron x-ray tomography and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the interaction between decagonal quasicrystals and obstacles (shrinkage pores) during solidification of an Al79Co6Ni15 alloy. The results reveal defect-free quasicrystal growth around the pores, independent of pore size and geometry. Our findings point to a universal feature of aperiodic solids: their ability to accommodate structural disruptions due to additional (phasonic) degrees of freedom. This Letter opens new possibilities for synthesizing large-scale, single quasicrystals from a liquid metal precursor.

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Focus

Quasicrystals Grow Smoothly Around Obstacles

Published 17 October, 2025

Large-scale obstacles to crystal growth can throw the whole lattice off kilter, but quasicrystals can accommodate them without losing their atomic-scale order.

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