Quasicrystals are a new form of the solid state which differ from the other two known forms, crystalline and amorphous, by possesing a new type of long-range translational order, called quasiperiodicty, and a noncrystallographic orientational order. This book provides an up-to-date description of the unusual physical properties of these new materials. Emphasis is placed on the experimental results, which are compared with those of the corresponding crystalline and amorphous systems and discussed in terms of modern theoretical models. Written by leading authorities in the field, the book will be of great use both to experienced workers in the field and to uninitiated graduate students.

1. Introduction.- References.- 2. Metallurgy of Quasicrystals.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Preparation of Quasicrystals.- 2.3 Structural Classification from Diffraction Patterns.- 2.4 Quasicrystalline Alloy Systems and the Formation of Quasicrystals.- 2.5 Phase Transformation from Amorphous to Icosahedral Phase.- 2.6 Phase Diagrams.- 2.7 Growth of Quasicrystals.- 2.8 Summary.- References.- 3. Crystallography of Quasicrystals.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 N-Dimensional Description of Quasicrystals.- 3.3 One-Dimensional Quasicrystals.- 3.4 Decagonal Quasicrystals.- 3.5 Icosahedral Quasicrystals.- References.- 4. Experimental Determination of the Structure of Quasicrystals.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 X-ray and Neutron Diffraction.- 4.3 Structure of the Al-Pd-Mn Icosahedral Phase.- 4.4 Structure of the Al-Ni-Co Decagonal Quasicrystal.- 4.5 Conclusions.- References.- 5. Electronic Transport Properties of Quasicrystals - Experimental Results.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Experimental Results.- 5.3 Towards Understanding Transport Properties.- 5.4 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 6. Theory of Electronic Structure in Quasicrystals.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Electronic Structure in One-and Two-Dimensional Quasilattices.- 6.3 Electronic Structure in Quasicrystals.- 6.4 Transport Properties in Quasicrystals.- 6.5 Summary.- References.- 7. Elementary Excitations and Physical Properties.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Quasiperiodicity, Symmetry, and Elementary Excitations.- 7.3 Modelling Quasicrystalline Structures and Approximant Phases.- 7.4 Numerical Characterization of Elementary Excitations.- 7.5 Phonons in Quasicrystals.- 7.6 Electrons in Quasicrystals.- 7.7 Final Remarks.- References.- 8. Spectroscopic Studies of the Electronic Structure.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Theoretical Predictions.- 8.3Experimental Results.- 8.4 Uniqueness of the Electronic Structure of Quasicrystals.- 8.5 Quasiperiodicity and Unusual Physical Properties.- 8.6 Conclusions and Outlook.- References.- 9. Magnetic Properties of Quasicrystals.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Al-Based Quasicrystals.- 9.3 Mg-RE-Zn Quasicrystals.- 9.4 Summary.- References.- 10. Surface Science of Quasicrystals.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Oxidized Surfaces.- 10.3 Surface Energies.- 10.4 Clean Surfaces.- 10.5 Friction.- 10.6 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 11. Mechanical Properties of Quasicrystals.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Low-Temperature Mechanical Properties.- 11.3 Dislocations in Quasicrystals.- 11.4 High-Temperature Plastic Deformation.- 11.5 Discussion.- 11.6 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 12. Toward Industrial Applications.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 The Relevant Properties of Quasicrystals.- 12.3 Possible Applications.- 12.4 Conclusion.- References.