Free volumes in the quasicrystalline decagonal Al-Cu-Co phase and in the adjacent crystalline phases studied by positron lifetime measurements

Abstract

Vacancy-type volumes have been studied in the Al-Cu-Co decagonal quasicrystalline phase as well as in the neighbouring crystalline compounds of CsCl, Al₃Ni₂, and Al₁₃Co₄ type by means of positron lifetime measurements. In the decagonal phase, larger free volumes appear than in the crystalline phases of adjacent compositions. The free volumes are discussed in terms of structural vacancies of the intermetallic compounds studied.