In this paper we examine the detailed relationship between the density-wave and unit-cell descriptions of quasicrystals. We show that phonons, phasons, and dislocations correspond to translations, distortions, and rearrangements of unit cells. The associated density-wave images closely resemble experimental electron micrographs of the icosahedral phase of aluminum-manganese and related alloys. Partial dislocations are also discussed and a natural classification scheme for partials is proposed.

• Received 24 April 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.34.3345