Atomic processes such as thermal vacancy formation were specifically studied, in quasicrystalline Al70Pd21Mn9, by using a combination of positron lifetime and 2-detector coincident Doppler broadening measurements. Two types of vacancy were detected. One was a structural vacancy, with Al-rich surroundings, at relatively low temperatures. The other was a thermal vacancy, with Al and transition-metal surroundings. Present data on vacancy formation in quasicrystalline Al70Pd21Mn9 were correlated with studies of atomic diffusion and plastic deformation.

Observation of High-Temperature Thermal Vacancies in Al70Pd21Mn9 Quasicrystals. K.Sato, F.Baier, A.A.Rempel, W.Sprengel, H.E.Schaefer: Physical Review B, 2003, 68[21], 214203 (4pp)