Polydispersity-driven topological defects as order-restoring excitations.

ABSTRACT: The engineering of defects in crystalline matter has been extensively exploited to modify the mechanical and electrical properties of many materials. Recent experiments on manipulating extended defects in graphene, for example, show that defects direct the flow of electric charges. The fascinating possibilities offered by defects in two dimensions, known as topological defects, to control material properties provide great motivation to perform fundamental investigations to uncover their role in various systems. Previous studies mostly focus on topological defects in 2D crystals on curved surfaces. On flat geometries, topological defects can be introduced via density inhomogeneities. We investigate here topological defects due to size polydispersity on flat surfaces. Size polydispersity is

SUBMITTER: Yao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3986143 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature