Discussion on the surface science of quasicrystals

Abstract

This paper contains a short review of four aspects of the surface science of quasicrystals, together with a list of challenges for the scientific community in the near future. The first issue concerns the ability of surface science to shed light on bulk atomic structure. The second is the use of surfaces as quasiperiodic templates, particularly for films of periodic metals. Here, enforcing quasiperiodicity in the film may lead to unusual magnetic, tribological or adsorption properties. The third aspect concerns the effects of surface phasons and phonons on dynamical interactions with adsorbates, such as sticking coefficient, as well as on diffusion between the surface and near-surface region. The final area is tribology, where studies of quasicrystals have suggested that both adhesion and phononic friction may be important.

Keywords:

• quasicrystals
• intermetallics
• aluminades
• surfaces
• interfaces

Acknowledgments

The participation of, and contributions by, Julian Ledieu, Ronan McGrath and Vincent Fournée on the discussion panel at the conference ‘Quasicrystals–The Silver Jubilee’ is gratefully acknowledged. Preparation of this manuscript was supported by the Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science Division of the US Department of Energy (USDOE). This manuscript has been authored by Iowa State University of Science and Technology under Contract No. DE–AC02–07CH11358 with the US Department of Energy.