Growth of large-grain R-Mg-Zn quasicrystals from the ternary melt (R = Y, Er, Ho, Dy, Tb)

摘要

The growth of large (up to 0.5 cm(3)), single-grain R-Mg-Zn quasicrystals (R = Y, Er, Ho, Dy and Tb) from a ternary melt is described in detail. The quasicrystals grown by this technique have a composition R8.7Mg34.6Zn56.8, are thermodynamically stable and have a dodecahedral morphology with clearly visible pentagonal facets. The quasicrystalline phase has been examined by X-ray diffaction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis and transport measurements. In addition, results are presented for a closely related ternary crystalline phase. [References: 21]