Finite noncrystallographic groups, 11-vertex equi-edged triangulated clusters and polymorphic transformations in metals

Abstract

The one-to-one correspondence has been revealed between a set of cosets of the Mathieu groupM11, a set of blocks of the Steiner systemS(4, 5, 11) and 11-vertex equi-edged triangulated clusters. The revealed correspondence provides the structure interpretation of theS(4, 5, 11) system: mapping of the biplane 2-(11, 5, 2) onto the Steiner systemS(4, 5, 11) determines uniquely the 11-vertex tetrahedral cluster, and the automorphisms of theS(4, 5, 11) system determine uniquely transformations of the said 11-vertex tetrahedral cluster. The said transformations correspond to local reconstructions during polymorphic transformations in metals. The proposed symmetry description of polymorphic transformation in metals is consistent with experimental data.