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09
We observed an interesting pattern of twinned domains that occurs in the phase sequence of a particular n-alkane, tricosane (C23H48).
Phase transitions between this twinned regime and one of its neighboring phases preserve atomic-scale features such as growth steps,
indicating that the regime is entered via a diffusionless (martensitic-like) transition.
This is an Atomic force microscope (AFM) image of the twinning pattern observed for C23H48 in the Rotator RV phase at ˜42 °C. (left) AFM height image and (right) deflection image (arbitrary gray scale).
The uniform contrast of individual portions of each stripe indicates smooth sides of constant slope. The ridges have a triangular profile with typical heights ~50 nm and sides with an inclination of 8°.
