Hexatic phase in covalent two-dimensional silver iodide
- Author(s)
- Thuy An Bui, David Lamprecht, Jacob Madsen, Marcin Kurpas, Peter Kotrusz, Alexander Markevich, Clemens Mangler, Jani Kotakoski, Lado Filipovic, Jannik C Meyer, Timothy J. Pennycook, Viera Skakalova, Kimmo Mustonen
- Abstract
According to the Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young (KTHNY) theory, the transition from a solid to liquid in two dimensions proceeds through an orientationally ordered liquid-like hexatic phase. However, alternative mixed melting scenarios, in which melting proceeds through the hexatic phase with both continuous and discontinuous transitions, have also been observed in some two-dimensional systems. In this study, we imaged silver iodide embedded in multilayer graphene using time- and temperature-resolved in situ atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and nanobeam electron diffraction. We observed the hexatic phase and provide evidence supporting a mixed melting scenario.
- Organisation(s)
- Physics of Nanostructured Materials
- External organisation(s)
- Technische Universität Wien, University of Silesia in Katowice, Danubia NanoTech Sro, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, University of Antwerp
- Journal
- Science
- Volume
- 390
- Pages
- 1033-1037
- ISSN
- 0036-8075
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adv7915
- Publication date
- 12-2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 103009 Solid state physics, 103042 Electron microscopy
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/fa5c62bd-a999-49f7-a1f7-f99b08c15047