Disclinations in quasicrystals

Abstract

The most significant feature in the transition from the quasicrystalline to the amorphous state is the loss of long-range bond-orientational order. Disclinations are candidates for elementary excitations which destroy angular correlations. Generalizing the topological defect classification, we investigate point singularities in two-dimensional pentagonal quasicrystals and construct disclinations, dislocations, and disclination dipoles.