Ted Janssen and aperiodic crystals

This article reviews some of Ted Janssen’s (1936–2017) major contributions to the field of aperiodic crystals. Aperiodic crystals are long-range ordered structures without 3D lattice translations and encompass incommensurately modulated phases, incommensurate composites and quasicrystals. Together with Pim de Wolff and Aloysio Janner, Ted Janssen invented the very elegant theory of superspace crystallography that, by adding a supplementary dimension to the usual 3D space, allows for a deeper understanding of the atomic structure of aperiodic crystals. He also made important contributions to the understanding of the stability and dynamics of aperiodic crystals, exploring their fascinating physical properties. He constantly interacted and collaborated with experimentalists, always ready to share and explain his detailed understanding of aperiodic crystals.