Holmium–magnesium–zinc quasicrystal explained
A holmium–magnesium–zinc (Ho–Mg–Zn) quasicrystal is a quasicrystal made of an alloy of the three metals holmium, magnesium and zinc that has the shape of a regular dodecahedron, a Platonic solid with 12 five-sided faces.[1] [2] Unlike the similar pyritohedron shape of some cubic-system crystals such as pyrite, this quasicrystal has faces that are true regular pentagons.
The crystal is part of the R - Mg - Zn family of crystals, where R=Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho or Er. They were first discovered in 1994.[3] These form quasicrystals in the stoichiometry around . Magnetically, they form a spin glass at cryogenic temperatures.
While the experimental discovery of quasicrystals dates back to the 1980s, the relatively large, single grain nature of some Ho–Mg–Zn quasicrystals has made them a popular way to illustrate the concept.[4] [5]
See also
Notes and References
- Canfield . Paul C. . Fisher . Ian R. . High-temperature solution growth of intermetallic single crystals and quasicrystals . Journal of Crystal Growth . Elsevier BV . 225 . 2–4 . 2001 . 0022-0248 . 10.1016/s0022-0248(01)00827-2 . 155–161.
- Fisher . I.R . Islam . Z . Zarestky . J . Stassis . C . Kramer . M.J . Goldman . A.I . Canfield . P.C . Magnetic properties of icosahedral R–Mg–Zn quasicrystals (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) . Journal of Alloys and Compounds . Elsevier BV . 303-304 . 2000 . 0925-8388 . 10.1016/s0925-8388(00)00635-6 . 223–227.
- Tsai . A. P. . Niikura . A. . Inoue . A. . Masumoto . T. . Nishida . Y. . Tsuda . K. . Tanaka . M. . Highly ordered structure of icosahedral quasicrystals in Zn-Mg-RE (RE ≡ rare earth metals) systems . Philosophical Magazine Letters . Informa UK Limited . 70 . 3 . 1994 . 0950-0839 . 10.1080/09500839408240971 . 169–175.
- News: Quasicrystals Are Nature's Impossible Matter. Vice. Daniel Oberhaus. 2015-05-03. 2020-06-07.
- News: Vindicated: Ridiculed Israeli scientist wins Nobel. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Aron Heller. 2011-10-05. 2020-06-07.
