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Events on Friday, April 8th, 2011

Physics Department Colloquium
Ingersoll Lecture
Beauty in Complexity: Low Friction and Adsorption Properties of Quasicrystal Surfaces
Time: 4:00 pm
Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall (coffee at 3:30 pm)
Speaker: Pat Thiel, Iowa State University
Abstract: Quasicrystals are metallic alloys or intermetallics which have an unconventional atomic structure. They are well-ordered on an atomic scale, but not periodic, and they often exhibit so-called forbidden rotational symmetries. This atomic structure engenders unusual surface properties and surface phenomena. Examples come from the morphology of films grown on quasicrystals. The unusual features include nucleation at trap sites that are intrinsic to the surface structure, and a quantum size effect that drives the formation of mesa-like structures. Another example is low friction, which arises (at least in part) from the quasiperiodic atomic structure. Yet another example is the development of defect sites, which can form at the surface and propagate a defective stacking sequence in toward the bulk These unusual features all are consequences of the beautiful - and sometimes maddeningly complex - atomic structure of these metallic alloys.
Host: Bruch
Poster: https://www.physics.wisc.edu/events/posters/2011/1823.pdf
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