On Rigidity for the Four-Well Problem Arising in the Cubic-to-Trigonal Phase Transformation

Abstract: We classify all exactly stress-free solutions to the cubic-to-trigonal phase transformation within the geometrically linearized theory of elasticity, showing that only simple laminates and crossing-twin structures can occur. In particular, we prove that although this transformation is closely related to the cubic-to-orthorhombic phase transformation, all its solutions are rigid. The argument relies on a combination of the Saint-Venant compatibility conditions together with the underlying nonlinear relations and non-convexity conditions satisfied by the strain components.