Symmetry changes at the surface of Al_70Pd_20Mn_10

摘要

Sputtering with Ar~+ ions induces structural phase transitions at the pentagonal surface of the icosahedral quasicrystal Al_70Pd_20Mn_10.Sputtering at different teepratures changes the surfac eocmposition,thereby stabilizifng different strucutes.At room temepratue,the strucuter changes to body-centered cubic but,at elevated temperatures,it displays decagonal symmetry.In both cases,annealing hte ample restores both the bulk composition and the icosahedral symmetry of the original surface.