Quasicrystals and Geometry [Paperback]

Marjorie Senechal (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521575419 | ISBN-13: 978-0521575416 | Publication Date: September 28, 1996

Quasicrystals and Geometry brings together for the first time the many strands of contemporary research in quasicrystal geometry and weaves them into a coherent whole. The author describes the historical and scientific context of this work, and carefully explains what has been proved and what is conjectured. This, together with a bibliography of over 250 references, provides a solid background for further study. The discovery in 1984 of crystals with 'forbidden' symmetry posed fascinating and challenging problems in many fields of mathematics, as well as in the solid state sciences. Increasingly, mathematicians and physicists are becoming intrigued by the quasicrystal phenomenon, and the result has been an exponential growth in the literature on the geometry of diffraction patterns, the behaviour of the Fibonacci and other nonperiodic sequences, and the fascinating properties of the Penrose tilings and their many relatives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In this excellent monograph, Marjorie Senechal ... gives us insight into what happened when established ideas had to be reexamined, modified or overturned ... Her several published reports and this book convey both the searches for new directions and the excitement of new results and are worthwhile narratives of ten exciting years.' Science

'This is a little gem of a book, with a quasicrystalline elegance to it.' American Scientist

'... this is a nice, timely and valuable book and is recommended to anyone interested in learning about this subject.' European Mathematical Society Newsletter

Book Description

This book brings together for the first time the many strands of contemporary research in quasicrystal geometry and weaves them into a coherent whole. The discovery in 1984 of crystals with 'forbidden' symmetry posed fascinating and challenging problems in many fields of mathematics and solid state sciences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521575419
• ISBN-13: 978-0521575416
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,536,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile with lots of cool pictures, September 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Quasicrystals and Geometry (Paperback)

I bought the book on the strength of the pretty pictures scattered throughout the book (much much more interesting than the front cover). The text of the book is as impressive.

"Quasicrystals and Geometry" is a bit between an overview and a cookbook. Sections of the book are historical, parts are practical. Explicit and easy to follow instructions for generation of penrose tilings (and many other really cool tilings) are included.

Despite what the introduction says, this book is not written for a lay audience. A quarter or two of college level math seems to be assumed.