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2 - Amorphous structure

from Part I - Structure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2012

David L. Sidebottom
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
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Summary

Introduction

In the previous chapter, we saw how the long-range order of particle positions in a crystal could be described in a rather elegant manner using a space lattice that extends indefinitely. In this chapter, we examine instead disordered matter such as liquids or glasses in which a long-range repeated pattern is absent. These amorphous materials might not seem as glamorous as their crystalline counterparts, but they are increasingly prevalent in our world as they comprise the windows, computer screens and vast array of plastic components that surround us on a daily basis. In comparison with crystalline structures, these amorphous materials pose a challenge to describe, and their structure can only be defined in a statistical sense by introducing an ensemble-averaged, pair distribution function. In spite of their disordered nature, a robust pattern of particle positions emerges over short distances. This short-range order reflects the local coordination of particles and we briefly review the random close pack and the continuous random network systems as common examples of amorphous structure.

A statistical structure

Disordered or amorphous condensed matter has a clear disadvantage in that particle positions lack any long-range repeating pattern akin to that found in crystals. This is evident in Fig. 2.1, which illustrates the typical particle positions of either a glass or a liquid captured at a particular instant in time.

Type
Chapter
Information
Fundamentals of Condensed Matter and Crystalline Physics
An Introduction for Students of Physics and Materials Science
, pp. 20 - 34
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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References

Zallen, R. The Physics of Amorphous Materials John Wiley and Sons New York 1983 Google Scholar
Zarzycki, J. Glasses and the Vitreous State Cambridge University Press New York 1991 Google Scholar
Elliott, S. R. Physics of Amorphous Materials John Wiley and Sons New York 1990 Google Scholar
Weitz, D. A. Packing in the Spheres Science 303 968 2004 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

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  • Amorphous structure
  • David L. Sidebottom, Creighton University, Omaha
  • Book: Fundamentals of Condensed Matter and Crystalline Physics
  • Online publication: 05 August 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139062077.004
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  • Amorphous structure
  • David L. Sidebottom, Creighton University, Omaha
  • Book: Fundamentals of Condensed Matter and Crystalline Physics
  • Online publication: 05 August 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139062077.004
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Amorphous structure
  • David L. Sidebottom, Creighton University, Omaha
  • Book: Fundamentals of Condensed Matter and Crystalline Physics
  • Online publication: 05 August 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139062077.004
Available formats
×