Kristallamorphe

Kristallamorphe, also known as amorphous crystals, is a term used to describe materials that possess some characteristics of both crystalline solids and amorphous solids. While true crystals have a long-range, ordered atomic structure, and amorphous solids lack this order, kristallamorphe fall into an intermediate category. They often exhibit short-range order, meaning atoms are arranged in a regular pattern over very small distances, but this order does not extend throughout the entire material.

The term can also refer to materials that appear crystalline to the naked eye or under certain microscopic techniques but are in fact highly disordered at the atomic level. This can arise from rapid cooling of molten materials, preventing the formation of a perfect crystal lattice, or from specific synthesis methods. The properties of kristallamorphe can vary significantly depending on the degree and nature of their disorder. They may display unique optical, electronic, or mechanical behaviors that differ from both their fully crystalline and fully amorphous counterparts. Research into kristallamorphe is ongoing, seeking to understand the relationship between their structural characteristics and macroscopic properties.