icosikaitetragonal

Icosikaitetragonal is a term used in crystallography to describe a crystal system characterized by a combination of icosahedral and tetragonal symmetries. This unique crystal system is relatively rare and is often found in certain types of quasicrystals, which are a class of solids that exhibit long-range orientational order but lack translational periodicity.

The term "icosikaitetragonal" is derived from the Greek words "icosi," meaning twenty, and "kai," meaning and, reflecting the icosahedral symmetry. The tetragonal component refers to the fourfold rotational symmetry axis, which is perpendicular to the icosahedral planes.

Crystals in the icosikaitetragonal system are known for their complex and intricate structures, often exhibiting fivefold symmetry in certain directions. This is in contrast to conventional crystals, which typically exhibit threefold, fourfold, or sixfold symmetries. The discovery of icosikaitetragonal crystals has significantly expanded our understanding of crystal structures and has led to the development of new materials with unique properties.

One of the most well-known examples of an icosikaitetragonal crystal is the icosahedral quasicrystal, which was first discovered in the early 1980s. This material exhibits a fivefold rotational symmetry and has been the subject of extensive research due to its potential applications in various fields, including electronics and materials science.