Commensurate-incommensurate transition

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002279",
  "term": "Commensurate-incommensurate transition",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A phase transition in a crystal where a modulated structure changes from having a periodicity that is an integer multiple of the underlying lattice (commensurate) to one that is not (incommensurate). This transition often involves subtle changes in atomic positions or magnetic ordering. Such transitions are observed in certain ferroelectric materials and charge-density wave systems.",
  "subject": "Inorganic Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "unit cell"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 577. 'Definitions of terms relating to phase transitions of the solid state (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 579 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466030577)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/commensurate-incommensurate-transition/"
}