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Original Articles

Quasicrystal approximant Ho13Zn58 + δ (δ 0.6): an incommensurate modulated tunnel structure

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Pages 2693-2699 | Received 31 Aug 2006, Accepted 02 Oct 2006, Published online: 02 Dec 2010
 

Abstract

In a systematic study of the binary quasicrystal approximants RE13Zn∼58 (RE = rare earth elements) system, single crystals of Ho13Zn58 + δ have been prepared. It is unique among family members of the RE13Zn∼58 system in that it shows a modulated superstructure ordering. Satellite reflections observed in single crystal X-ray diffraction pattern indicate the presence of a one-dimensional lattice distortion. The modulated structure has been solved and refined from X-ray data using the superspace group approach. The Ho13Zn58 +δ structure can be described in the (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace group Pc21n(0β0)s0s with lattice parameters a = 24.6481(7) Å, b = 14.2484(4) Å, c = 14.0153(3) Å and a modulation vector q = (0, 0.741, 0). The crystal structure is closely related to those of other RE13Zn∼58 compounds, comprising hexagon-shaped tunnels made up of rare earth-centred Zn polyhedra. All atoms in the structure are affected by a displacive modulation, but one set of Zn atoms are very strongly affected and display an almost composite behaviour with regard to the rest of the structure.

Acknowledgement

Financial support from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council and the Foundation for Strategic Research are gratefully acknowledged.

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