quasicrystaln.
/ˈkweɪzʌɪˌkrɪstl/, /ˈkwɑːzɪˌkrɪstl/, U.S. /ˈkwɑziˌkrɪstl/, /ˈkweɪˌzaɪˌkrɪstl/ Physics.
An aggregation of atoms that resembles a crystal; spec. a solid which has some of the properties of a crystal lattice, such as the ability to diffract radiation, but whose structure exhibits only local regularity or quasiperiodicity.
ΚΠ
1922 Science 22 Sept. 324/1 Deviations from normal crystalline forms produced by the presence of colloids are usually symmetrical, but may appear crystalline. Changes in the nature or degree of dispersion of the colloid..must..have an effect on the resultant quasi-crystals.
1969 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 62 408 The supernatant containing 12–14 mg protein/ml was dialyzed... Quasi-crystals began to separate after the first 4 hr.
1984 D. Levine & P. J. Steinhardt in Physical Rev. Lett. 53 2477/2 We find that the Penrose lattice is just one of an infinite set of 2D and 3D lattices that exhibit the BOO [= bond orientational order] and self-similarity properties of a crystal, but have quasiperiodic (QP), rather than periodic, translational order. We term such lattices ‘quasicrystals’.
1990 Sci. News 22 Dec. 405/2 Using a scanning tunneling microscope, researchers obtained striking graphic evidence that certain metallic alloys form quasicrystals.
1999 P. Ball Self-Made Tapestry vii. 190 (caption) Fivefold symmetry (and lack of true translational symmetry) is also evident in the atomic structure of quasicrystals, seen here under the electron microscope.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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