Open Journal of Metal, 2011, 1, 17-24
doi:10.4236/ ojmetal.2011.1 2 0 0 3 Published Online December 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojmetal)
A Review of Metallic Fractal Aggregates
Rodolfo J. Slobodrian, Claude Rioux, Michel Piché
Département de Physique, de Génie physique et D’optique, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
Received September 25, 2011; revised November 2, 2011; accepted November 18, 2011
Abstract
Metals are the main components of the Earth’s mass and are characterized by high thermal and electrical
conductivity as well as high reflectivity of electromagnetic fields. Finely divided metals are efficient
catalysers and this indicates the relevance of surfaces when their ratio to volume becomes large. This is a
characteristic of fractal aggregates and their constituent monomers (spheroidal or other) in the micrometer to
nanometer scales. Exotic fern shaped aggregates are also produced. All aggregates exhibit large ratios of
surface to volume. Condensation of metallic vapours allows to obtain particle sizes much smaller than those
obtained via grinding techniques and far superior in purity. Exotic alloys of non miscible metals have been
obtained at the micrometer scale. Thermal and laser evaporation methods of metals followed by conden-
sation are described. Low gravity aggregation experiments were also carried out on aircraft in parabolic
flight.
Keywords: Fractals, Monomers, Aggregates, Metals, Alloys
1. Introduction
Fractals are ubiquitous in our universe including both
inanimate and living matter, at all scales, from subatomic
to cosmic dimensions [1]. Physical fractals are deemed to
be a fourth state of matter, additional to the usual solid,
liquid and gaseous states. Fractal is a word coined by
Benoit Mandelbrot as well as the expressions fractal
geometry and fractal dimension [2]. The foundations are
to be found in the development of the concepts of topo-
logical and metric spaces, dimension and measure, laid
by 19th and 20th century mathematicians, particularly
Cavalieri, Cantor, Lebesgue, Hausdorff, Banach, Borel,
Kuratowski and Kolmogorov [3], essential fo r the under-
standing of the generalisation leading to non-integer di-
mensions (fractal dimensions). In 1982 Mandelbrot de-
fined a fractal as a set for which the Hausdorff-Besico-
vitch dimension strictly exceeds the topological dimen-
sion. This abstract definition was replaced by Mandel-
brot in 1986 introducing the concept of self-similarity:
Fractal is a shape (set) made by parts similar to the whole
in some way [4].This definition implies scale invariance
of parts of a set. Physical fractals have a finite range of
scale invariance whereas mathematical fractals have in-
finite range. Physical fractals are characterized by ran-
domness and exhibit frequ ently dendritic structures.
2. Fractal Dimension
Integer dimensions are assigned axiomatically: 0 for a
point, 1 for a line, 2 for a surface, etc., based on the
assumption of continuity. However, for example a subset
of the points on a line in correspondence with the rational
numbers should reflect a dimension below 1. This is based
on the idea of measure of a set with adequate covering
units: sticks, plates, cubes or balls, etc. For instance to
measure the area of the floor of a room it is possible to
use surface elements of variable linear dimension  and
cover the floor to any given accuracy. The capacity
(concept due to Kolmogorov) of the covering element
can be expressed as
n
CK

 (1)
For squares K = 1, for disks K = , n = 2 in both cases.
For cubes K =1, n = 3, for spheres (balls) K = 4/3  and
n = 3. For the covering of the floor the area A is then
given by
A=NC

(2)
If the surface to be measured is not dense the covering
elements can be expressed as
D
C= K


(3)
where accounting for the non-d ense surface and D< 2


R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
18
substituting the topological dimension. Thus now the
area can be expressed as
D
A=NK


(4)
With the heuristic choice A = 1 K = 1, the fractal di-
mension D is given by

D
DlimlnN ln(1)




 
(5)
=>0

Mutatis mutandis the expression is valid for systems
embedded in 3-dimensional space.
Figure 1 visualizes the method to determine the frac-
tal dimension by the slo pe of the gra p h.
3. Fractal Characteristics
A specific nomenclature has been developed to designate
traits of fractals. This is demonstrated in Figure 2.
Branches are called dendrites (name borrowed from Greek:
trees and neurons), deep cavities are Fjords (from Nor-
way’s landscapes), and individual elements of the aggregate
are known as monomers, derived from chemical po lyme r s,
which are similar to aggregates.
(a)
(b)
Figure 1. (a) 2-Dimensional fractal; (b) A graph of its frac-
tal dimension.
Figure 2. SEM image of a 3-dimensional Zn aggregate. No-
tice at the upper right a secondary aggregate with mono-
mers down to the nanometer scale. It is a beautiful example
of self-similarity in aggregates.
The density of fractals is related to their fractal dimen-
sion because the latter reflects the occupancy of space by
particles. The mass M of a fractal of dimension D en-
closed in a cube of side L is thus propor tional to LD (D <
3). Therefore the matter density in the cube is

D3
~L 


(6)
Consequently it goes to zero when L => . The ag-
gregate grows tenuous and in normal gravity tends to
collapse. Low gravity environments (real or simulated)
are necessary for a proper study of the growth and prop-
erties of fractal aggregates.
4. Reduced Gravity Environments
Free fall of a system in vacuum provides a means of
eliminating gravity. Th is technique has giv en rise to drop
towers and provides for several seconds of near zero g.
Aircraft in parabolic flight can mock-up conditions near
free fall for periods of tens of seconds with jitters above
the level of g from drop towers. Space shuttles, asteroids,
the forthcoming aerospace plane and the International
Space Station (stationary orbits) can provide long periods
of near zero gravity. Space probes far from gravitational
fields may provide unsurpassed periods of picogravities
but may require elaborate chains of signal transmission
stations [5] .
However, a simulation of low gravity conditions can
be accomplished in ground based laboratories by fl ota tion
of particles in an inert gas atmosphere. Such medium is
also required in condensation experiments in order to
reduce the velocities of evaporated atoms to thermal levels.
Otherwise, in v a cuum, these atoms would be p rojecte d onto
the walls of the experimental enclosures. Metallic elements
would coat the surfaces and no 3-d aggregation could

19 R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
occur. The preferred gas of experiments referred to here
was argon, although helium and krypton were also used
occasionally. It is reasonable to assume that the supporting
gas does not interact in any significant way with the
evaporated atoms and provides only flotation to the
aggregating particles. Ground based experiments have
been carried out with an evaporator using ohmic heating
of the metals equipped with a gas handling system. A
schematic of the evaporation-condensation system is
shown in Figure 3. Anodized tungsten crucibles were
used to evaporate the metals. During the evaporation
convection played a relevant role and a smoke-like column
would ascend above the crucible, a saddle shaped vortex
was also formed, as depicted in Figure 4.
Figure 3.
Figure 4. The crucible in operation.
Seventeen metals were evaporated and their condensation
produced aggregates of varied shapes. Aggregates with
typical monomers were analyzed by scattering of He-Ne
laser radiation (Figure 5) to determine the fractal dimension
D from the angular distribution of the intensity I(q),
where q is the modulus of the difference of the initial and
final wave vectors (Figure 6).This is a non-destructive
indirect measurement method [6] .
A direct measurement of the fractal dimension of a
physical aggregate may become possible with the forth-
coming ESA-ICAPS facility on the ISS, with a fast ho-
lographic record of the growth of aggregates, providing
the coordinates of the monomers or particles aggregating
[7,8], but it is presently geared to the study of powders
only. It may be extended to vapors in some future de-
velopments.
Several examples of SEM images of metallic fractal
aggreates are shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The fern like aggregates shown in Figures 9 and 10
Figure 5. Laser scattering apparatus sche matic.
Figure 6. Example of a measurement of D of a 3-d Zn ag-
gregate.

R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
20
below exhibit branches of dendrites demonstrating a se-
quence of self similar structures at gradually diminishing
scales. This is a striking demonstration of the scale in-
variance of fractal aggregates.
Figure 7. Aggregate of Mn.
Figure 8. Enlargement of a part of Figure 7.
Figure 9. Aggregate of Cr with a fern like pattern, the mo-
nomers are tetrahedral.
Figure 10. Fern like aggregate of Zn.
5. Experiments in Low Gravity of Parabolic
Flights
Ground based experiments of evaporated metals in a
gaseous medium suffer from motions induced by thermal
gradients which limit the growth of the aggregates as
well as introduce distortions. Experiments were carried
out on aircraft of NASA, ESA and NRC-Canada. One
early experiment carried out with powders allowed to
establish the relevance of electrostatic interactions in
aggregations [9]. See Figure 11 below.
Figure 11. Apparatus used for experiments of NASA’s KC-135
aircraft, horizontal and vertical views. A: Aggregation cell;
B: Particle activation bellows; C: Lenses; D: Recording ca-
mera; E: Mirrors; F: Prism.

R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
21
The apparatus records on a single frame of the camera
two perpendicular images of the aggregations within the
cell, thus assuring a perfect synchronization of the im-
ages. This allows to reconstruct the 3-d paths of aggre-
gating poarticles.
Experiments with evaporated metals were carried out
with the apparatus of Figure 12.
Experiments were carried out in parabolic flight on
NASA’s aircraft, KC-135, DC 9 and NRC-Canada Fal-
con. The most remarkable aggregate obtained was of Zn
with gigantic proportions shown on Figure 13. It is an
example of multiple fractal aggregation (MFA) [10],
such that several aggregates are condensed simultaneously
from the metallic vapors. Most simulation programmes of
physical aggregation deal with a single system.
We have developed a computer programme to generate
three dimensional multiple fractal aggregation (MFA) of
spheroidal monomers.
(a) (b)
Figure 12. (a) Horizontal and vertical views of the apparatus; (b) Detail of the cubic experimental cell. The evaporation pro-
ceeds via ohmic heating.
(a) (b)
Figure 13. (a) View of a big Zn aggregate; (b) Optical microscope view os part of the Zn aggregate at left.

R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
22
6. Exotic Alloy of Al and Ag
A result crowning the experiments using ohmic evaporation
is shown in Figures 15 and 16 the exotic alloy of alu-
minium and silver obtained. The aggregates shown are
also of the type MFA of Figure 14.
Figure 14. Example of MFA simulation. D is the multifrac-
tal dimension obtained via the box counting method.
Figure 15. SEM image of an alloy of Al-Ag.
Figure 16. Mass spectrum of Figure 15 confirming the com-
position.
7. Laser Vapourization and Condensation of
Metals
Lasers are far superior to ohmic heating to produce va-
pours of high purity, but the required installation is con-
siderably more complex (shown in Figure 17).
A basic laser (see Table 1) set-up is shown in Figure
18 for vaporization of targets.
An aggregate generated via laser vaporisation is shown in
Figure 19.
Figure 17. Photo of the experimental cube .
Figure 18. The target in the experimental cube is at the bot-
tom left.
Figure 19. A condensed aggregate from laser generated va-
pours.

23 R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
Table 1. Laser characteristics.
Parameters Nominal values Values used
Wavelength (nm) 248 248
Maximum energy per pulse (mJ) 450 120 à 240
Mean energy maximum (W) 80 1 à 2,5
Repetition rate (pps) 200 10
Length of pulse (ns) 12 à 20 12 à 20
Size of the beam (mm) 8 – 12 × 25 8 – 12 × 25
Divergence of the beam (mra d) 1 × 3 1 × 3
Alloy of Aluminium and Tungsten
A laser set-up was prepared in order to split the beam in
two and convey them at 90˚ onto targets of two metals in
order to produce intersecting beams of Al and W thus
allowing the simultaneous condensation into monomers.
The beam was split using a prism as shown in Figure 20.
The full beam paths are illustrated in Figure 21.
The coliding beams generated by laser interaction are
shown in Figure 22.
The mass spectrum analysis shown in Figure 23 indi-
cates the success generating the Al-W alloy.
Figure 20. Photo showing the splitting of the laser beam in-
to components.
Figure 21. The targets are placed in the box at the lower cen-
tre.
Figure 22. Photograph showing the colliding beams inside
the target chamber.
Figure 23. Upper: SEM image of monomers the circle indi-
cates a monomer whose mass spectrum is shown (lower dia-
gram). Alumnium is indicated by Al, tungsten by W.
8. Concluding Remarks
Fractal aggregates of metals at the micro- and nano-me-

R. J. SLOBODRIAN ET AL.
24
ter scales provide physical systems with exceptional.
The successful result of alloying two immiscible metals
opens up the production of exotic alloys with several
components and exceptional properties [11]. properties
due to the dominance of surfaces over volumes. They
also constitute a bridge between the realm of quantum
phenomena and macroscopic classical physics phenomena.
This region is poorly known and worthy of fundamental
research because Bohr’s correspondence principle may
not be adequate to comprehend the transition from ato-
mic systems to macroscopic matter [12]. Further work on
this important aspectt is foreseen.
9. Acknowledgements
This review reflects the toil and enthousiasm of a sizeable
number of researchers and it would be too long to enu-
merate. The support of technical shops of the university was
essential to this work carried out mostly with special
equipment constructed locally. Financial support was
provided intermittently by the Canadian and European
Space Agencies (CSA and ESA) it is thanked kindly.
10. References
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