Domain-interface defects in crystals

Understanding the microscopic properties of multi-domain single-phase crystals is important to manipulating their useful properties. When the formation of an order parameter during a phase transition causes the crystal volume to be partitioned amongst the domains of the order parameter, the geometric interface between two or more such domains defines a type of topological defect. Because an order parameter is characterized by symmetry loss, it is most naturally described in terms of group-theoretical concepts. We demonstrate the use of group-theoretical constructs to classify domain-interface defects in single-phase crystals and to simulate their formation below a phase transition.