Development of 3D visualization system for the study of physical properties of quasicrystals

We have developed a 3D visualization system helpful for the study of physical properties of quasicrystals which have complex structures and characteristic rotation symmetries. Our system consists of two software packages; one for real space and another for reciprocal space. Both packages are distributed as open-source software and are equipped with some commands useful for icosahedral symmetry in order to treat not only crystals but also quasicrystals. The package for real space can visualize arrangement of atoms and Patterson maps of Ising model simulations for structural and magnetic studies. It has flexibility to control various geometric parameters and can set the view direction by Cahn’s indices. This package is developed using Java 3D which runs the same code under many operating systems. The package for reciprocal space can visualize the first Brillouin zone and larger zones and can calculate the intersection with a Fermi sphere for the study of electronic properties like stabilization mechanisms of quasicrystals.