Striped Twisted State in the Orientational Epitaxy on Quasicrystals
Abstract
The optimal “twisted” geometry of a crystalline layer on a crystal has long been known, but that on a quasicrystal is still unknown and open. We predict analytically that the layer equilibrium configuration will generally exhibit a nonzero misfit angle. The theory perfectly agrees with numerical optimization of a colloid monolayer on a quasiperiodic decagonal optical lattice. Strikingly different from crystal-on-crystal epitaxy, the structure of the novel emerging twisted state exhibits an unexpected stripe pattern. Its high anisotropy should reflect on the tribomechanical properties of this unconventional interface.
Authors
Nicola Manini, Mario Forzanini, Sebastiano Pagano, Marco Bellagente, Martino Colombo, Dario Bertazioli, Tommaso Salvalaggio, Andrea Vanossi, Davide Vanossi, Emanuele Panizon, Erio Tosatti, Giuseppe E. Santoro
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Publication Date
12/02/2025