Twinning Mechanism is a mechanism by which crystals can grow symmetrically by creating a mirror image of themselves, resulting in two or more crystals that are identical in their internal structure but oriented differently with respect to one another. This process can occur during the growth of crystals or as a result of external stresses on the crystal.
Twinning occurs when a crystal is divided into two regions, called twin domains, which are mirror images of each other across a plane or axis called the twin plane or twin axis. These twin domains can have different orientations and exhibit different physical properties. The twinning plane or axis is usually a symmetry element of the crystal lattice, which means it preserves the crystal’s overall symmetry.
There are several types of twinning, including contact twins, penetration twins, and growth twins. Contact twins occur when two crystals grow together and share a common interface or boundary. Penetration twins occur when two crystals penetrate each other and share a common volume. Growth twins occur when a crystal changes its orientation during growth, resulting in two or more twin domains.
Twinning is an important phenomenon in crystallography and materials science because it can affect the physical and mechanical properties of materials. For example, twinning can increase the ductility and toughness of metals and alloys, making them more resistant to cracking and deformation. Twinning can also affect the optical properties of crystals, such as their birefringence and polarization.
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