Frustration and defects in non-periodic solids

Geometrical frustration arises whenever a local preferred configuration (lower energy for atomic systems, or best packing for hard spheres) cannot be propagated throughout space without defects. A general approach, using unfrustrated templates defined in curved space, have been previously applied to analyse a large number of cases like complex crystals, amorphous materials, liquid crystals, foams, and even biological organizations, with scales ranging from the atomic level up to macroscopic scales. In this paper, we discuss the close sphere packing problem, which has some relevance to the structural problem in amorphous metals, quasicrystals and some periodic complex metallic structures. The role of sets of disclination line defects is addressed, in particular with comparison with the major skeleton occurring in complex large-cell metals (Frank–Kasper phases). An interesting example of 12-fold symmetric quasiperiodic Frank–Kasper phase, and its disclination network, is also described.     

Energy levels and their correlations in quasicrystals

Quasicrystals can be considered, from the point of view of their electronic properties, as being intermediate between metals and insulators. For example, experiments show that quasicrystalline alloys such as AlCuFe or AlPdMn have conductivities far smaller than those of the metals that these alloys are composed from. Wavefunctions in a quasicrystal are typically intermediate in character between the extended states of a crystal and the exponentially localized states in the insulating phase, and this is also reflected in the energy spectrum and the density of states. In the theoretical studies we consider in this review, the quasicrystals are described by a pure hopping tight binding model on simple tilings. We focus on spectral properties, which we compare with those of other complex systems, in particular, the Anderson model of a disordered metal. We discuss ‘strong‘ and ‘weak’ quasicrystals, which are described by different universal laws. We find similarities and universal behaviour, but also significant differences between quasiperiodic models and models with disorder. Like weakly disordered metals, the quasicrystal can be described by the universal level statistics that can be derived from random matrix theory. These level statistics are only one aspect of the energy spectrum, whose very large fluctuations can also be described by a level spacing distribution that is log-normal. An analysis of spectral rigidity shows that electrons diffuse with a bigger exponent (super-diffusion) than in a disordered metal. Adding disorder attenuates the singular properties of the perfect quasicrystal, and leads to improved transport. Spectral properties are also used in computing conductances of such systems, and to attempt to resolve the experimental enigmas such as whether quasicrystals are intrinsically conductors, and if so, how conductances depend on the structure.     

A cosmological model for corrugated graphene sheets

Defects play a key role in the electronic structure of graphene layers flat or curved. Topological defects in which an hexagon is replaced by an n-sided polygon generate long range interactions that make them different from vacancies or other potential defects. In this work we review previous models for topological defects in graphene. A formalism is proposed to study the electronic and transport properties of graphene sheets with corrugations as the one recently synthesized. The formalism is based on coupling the Dirac equation that models the low energy electronic excitations of clean flat graphene samples to a curved space. A cosmic string analogy allows to treat an arbitrary number of topological defects located at arbitrary positions on the graphene plane. The usual defects that will always be present in any graphene sample as pentagon–heptagon pairs and Stone-Wales defects are studied as an example. The local density of states around the defects acquires characteristic modulations that could be observed in scanning tunnel and transmission electron microscopy.     

Intrinsic stability of quasicrystals under the generation of Frenkel pairs

Under irradiation metastable quasicrystals undergo a phase transition to an amorphous state. This transition can be reversed by annealing. As in normal crystalline materials the phase transition is considered to be triggered by generation and recombination of vacancies and interstitial atoms (Frenkel pairs). We have classified the possible Frenkel defects in a metastable monatomic quasicrystal with respect to geometric and energetic properties. With numerical simulation we have studied the behaviour of the quasicrystal under a load of Frenkel defects for various defect concentrations. We find three ranges of behaviour: up to 5% defects per atom the structure remains icosahedral, in a middle range it stays disordered icosahedral or it becomes either disordered or perfect crystalline, depending on the implementation of the defects. If there are more than 10% defects the structure becomes irreversibly amorphous. We finally compare our results with experimental data.     

Nonlinear Dynamical Symmetries of Some Two-Dimensional Quantum Systems

In this paper nonlinear dynamical symmetries of three quantum systems are studied in detail, such as the Kepler-Coulomb system and the isotropic harmonic oscillator in a two-dimensional curved space, and the generalized pseudo-oscillators in the two-dimensional fiat space. Their nonlinear spectrum generating algebras are shown to be relevant to polynomial angular momentum algebras.     

Effects of topological defects and local curvature on the electronic properties of planar graphene

A formalism is proposed to study the electronic and transport properties of graphene sheets with corrugations as the one recently synthesized. The formalism is based on coupling the Dirac equation that models the low energy electronic excitations of clean flat graphene samples to a curved space. A cosmic string analogy allows to treat an arbitrary number of topological defects located at arbitrary positions on the graphene plane. The usual defects that will always be present in any graphene sample as pentagon–heptagon pairs and Stone–Wales defects are studied as an example. The local density of states around the defects acquires characteristic modulations that could be observed in scanning tunnel and transmission electron microscopy.     

Localization of nonlinear excitations in curved waveguides and chains of nonlinear oscillators

It is shown that the interplay of curvature and nonlinearity in systems with finite curvature: bent waveguides, curved chains of nonlinear oscillators, etc can lead to the qualitative effects, such as symmetry breaking of the nonlinear excitations and their trapping by the bending. The finite curvature of the waveguide with infinite hard walls (Dirichlet boundary conditions) provides a stabilizing effect on otherwise unstable localized states of repelling nonlinear Schr?dinger excitations. The number of quanta which the curved waveguide can bind monotonically increases when the radius of curvature decreases. In the waveguides with Neumann boundary conditions at the confining walls the curved region might manifest itself as a two-hump potential barrier with interbarrier space acting as a potential valley. A threshold character of the scattering process, i.e. transmission, trapping, or reflection of the moving nonlinear excitation passing through the bending, is demonstrated.     

Disordered magnetic phases and magnetic transitions in non anisotropic frustrated systems

Numerous studies have been devoted to disordered magnetic phases which show the existence of several types of disorder in non-anisotropic systems. Semi-disordered systems which retain at least partially long-range order (reentrant properties and randomly canted structures) and fully disordered systems (spin cluster and soft transition systems, true spin glass state) are shortly reviewed. Several characteristic experiments and results are presented and commented on, such as alternative, nonlinear and static susceptibilities, thermoremanence, ageing effects, neutron diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The possible types of disordered magnetic phases are discussed as a function of a sharp (or soft) transition and of a more or less fast dynamics. In true spin glasses, some problems are still open while in the other disordered phases the unresolved questions are numerous.     

Extrinsic Curvature Embedding Diagrams

Embedding diagrams have been used extensively to visualize the properties of curved space in Relativity. We introduce a new kind of embedding diagram based on the extrinsic curvature (instead of the intrinsic curvature). Such an extrinsic curvature embedding diagram, when used together with the usual kind of intrinsic curvature embedding diagram, carries the information of how a surface is embedded in the higher dimensional curved space. Simple examples are given to illustrate the idea.     

Nonlinear Dynamical Symmetries of Some Two-Dimensional Quantum Systems

In this paper nonlinear dynamical symmetries of three quantum systems are studied in detail, such as theKepler-Coulomb system and the isotropic harmonic oscillator in a two-dimensional curved space, and the generalizedpseudo-oscillators in the two-dimensional flat space. Their nonlinear spectrum generating algebras are shown to berelevant to polynomial angular momentum algebras.     

On Geometry of Point Defects and DislocationsThe Meaning of the Third Identity of Curvature Tensor

The aim of this paper is to proof mathematically that, as far as flat space geometry is considered, there is no geometrical interaction between point defects and dislocations. Point defects giving rise to non flat geometry have a more general geometrical structure. In this case the so called third identity of the curvature tensor starts to play an important role.     

A real-space study of random extended defects in solids: Application to disordered Stone–Wales defects in graphene

We propose here a first-principles, parameter free, real space method for the study of disordered extended defects in solids. We shall illustrate the power of the technique with an application to graphene sheets with randomly placed Stone–Wales defects and shall examine the signature of such random defects on the density of states as a function of their concentration. The technique is general enough to be applied to a whole class of systems with lattice translational symmetry broken not only locally but by extended defects and defect clusters. The real space approach will allow us to distinguish signatures of specific defects and defect clusters.     

Topological states in quasicrystals

With the rapid development of topological states in crystals, the study of topological states has been extended to quasicrystals in recent years. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of topological states in quasicrystals, particularly focusing on one-dimensional (1D) and 2D systems. We first give a brief introduction to quasicrystalline structures. Then, we discuss topological phases in 1D quasicrystals where the topological nature is attributed to the synthetic dimensions associated with the quasiperiodic order of quasicrystals. We further present the generalization of various types of crystalline topological states to 2D quasicrystals, where real-space expressions of corresponding topological invariants are introduced due to the lack of translational symmetry in quasicrystals. Finally, since quasicrystals possess forbidden symmetries in crystals such as five-fold and eight-fold rotation, we provide an overview of unique quasicrystalline symmetry-protected topological states without crystalline counterpart.     

Antiferromagnetic edge states in carbon nanotubes with hydrogen line defect abundancy

We have investigated the antiferromagnetic edge states in carbon nanotubes with hydrogen line defects by using the density functional theory calculations. As the hydrogen line defects increase, the exchange energy gain stabilizing the antiferromagnetic edge states increases in each graphenic ribbon produced by the line defects, indicating that the antiferromagnetic edge states can be realized at high temperatures regardless of the nanotube size. The exchange energy gain in each ribbon is determined by the ribbon width of the flat ribbon and apparently by the curvature of the curved ribbon. The exchange interaction between the ribbons is seen to be negligibly small even in the presence of a nonmagnetic inter-ribbon interaction that is sensitive to the ribbon width.     

Hard disks on the hyperbolic plane

We examine a simple hard disk fluid with no long range interactions on the two-dimensional space of constant negative Gaussian curvature, the hyperbolic plane. This geometry provides a natural mechanism by which global crystalline order is frustrated, allowing us to construct a tractable model of disordered monodisperse hard disks. We extend free-area theory and the virial expansion to this regime, deriving the equation of state for the system, and compare its predictions with simulation near an isostatic packing in the curved space.     

Decagonal quasicrystals

Following the discovery of two dimensional quasicrystals in rapidly solidified Al-Mn alloys by us and L. Bendersky in 1985, a number of fascinating studies has been conducted to unravel the atomic configuration of quasicrystals with decagonal symmetry. A comprehensive mapping of the reciprocal space of decagonal quasicrystals is now available. The interpretation of the diffraction patterns brings out the comparative advantages of various indexing schemes. In addition, the nature of the variable periodicity can be addressed as a form of polytypism. The relation between decagonal quasicrystals and their crystalline homologues will be explored with emphasis on Al₆₀Mn₁₁Ni₄ and ‘Al₃Mn’. It will also be shown that decagonal quasicrystals are closely related to icosahedral quasicrystals, icosahedral twins and vacancy ordered phases.     

Graded photonic quasicrystals

We introduce graded photonic quasicrystals and investigate properties of such structures on the example of a Luneburg lens based on a dodecagonal photonic quasicrystal. It is shown that the graded photonic quasicrystal lens has better focusing properties as compared with the graded photonic crystal lens in a frequency range suitable for experimental realization. The proposed graded photonic quasicrystals can be used in optical systems where compact and powerful focusing elements are required.     

Turbulence on Hyperbolic Plane: The Fate of Inverse Cascade

We describe ideal incompressible hydrodynamics on the hyperbolic plane which is an infinite surface of constant negative curvature. We derive equations of motion, general symmetries and conservation laws, and then consider turbulence with the energy density linearly increasing with time due to action of small-scale forcing. In a flat space, such energy growth is due to an inverse cascade, which builds a constant part of the velocity autocorrelation function proportional to time and expanding in scales, while the moments of the velocity difference saturate during a time depending on the distance. For the curved space, we analyze the long-time long-distance scaling limit, that lives in a degenerate conical geometry, and find that the energy-containing mode linearly growing with time is not constant in space. The shape of the velocity correlation function indicates that the energy builds up in vortical rings of arbitrary diameter but of width comparable to the curvature radius of the hyperbolic plane. The energy current across scales does not increase linearly with the scale, as in a flat space, but reaches a maximum around the curvature radius. That means that the energy flux through scales decreases at larger scales so that the energy is transferred in a non-cascade way, that is the inverse cascade spills over to all larger scales where the energy pumped into the system is cumulated in the rings. The time-saturated part of the spectral density of velocity fluctuations contains a finite energy per unit area, unlike in the flat space where the time-saturated spectrum behaves as \(\,k^{-5/3}\) .     

Anomalous coupling between topological defects and curvature

We investigate a counterintuitive geometric interaction between defects and curvature in thin layers of superfluids, superconductors, and liquid crystals deposited on curved surfaces. Each defect feels a geometric potential whose functional form is determined only by the shape of the surface, but whose sign and strength depend on the transformation properties of the order parameter. For superfluids and superconductors, the strength of this interaction is proportional to the square of the charge and causes all defects to be repelled (attracted) by regions of positive (negative) Gaussian curvature. For liquid crystals in the one elastic constant approximation, charges between 0 and 4pi are attracted by regions of positive curvature while all other charges are repelled.     

Curvature-induced lipid segregation

We investigate how an externally imposed curvature influences lipid segregation on two-phase-coexistent membranes.We show that the bending-modulus contrast of the two phases and the curvature act together to yield a reduced effective line tension.On largely curved membranes,a state of multiple domains(or rafts) forms due to a mechanism analogous to that causing magnetic-vortex formation in type-II superconductors.We determine the criterion for such a multi-domain state to occur;we then calculate respectively the size of the domains formed on cylindrically and spherically curved membranes.