This book gives an up-to-date introduction to the structure, physical properties and applications of quasicrystalline alloys. It covers quasiperiodic tilings and the determination and modelling of the atomic structure of quasicrystals. The electronic properties, determined from measurements of the partial electronic density of states and the calculation of the electronic structure, play a key role in this introduction, as does an extensive discussion of the determination and simulation of the atomic dynamics. For the application of these aperiodic crystals, defects are a critical issue. Thus the book also presents a detailed treatement of the study of defects in quasicrystals by high resolution electron microscopy and ion channeling, as well as computer simulations of defects and fracture in decorated tilings.

The present volume summarizes some of the important recent developments in the field of metallic glasses. A variety of new "amorphization" methods such as hydrogen absorption, thermal interdiffusion reactions, irradiation and mechanical alloying are presented and various thermodynamic and experimental aspects of these techniques are discussed in detail. A chapter is devoted to glassy metals used as catalyst precursors yielding metal catalysts with unusual chemical and structural properties. The interrelation between electronic and ionic structures in glassy and liquid metals gives fascinating insights in the basic properties of the non-crystalline state of matter.

The book provides an introduction to all aspects of the physics of quasicrystals. The chapters, each written by an expert in this field, cover quasiperiodic tilings and the modeling of the atomic structure of quasicrystals. The electronic density of states and the calculation of the electronic structure play a key role in this introduction, as does an extensive discussion of the atomic dynamics. The study of defects in quasicrystals by high resolution electron microscopy and the computer simulations of defects and fracture in decorated tilings are important subjects for the application of these aperiodic crystals.