C60 on impurity phases of the 2–fold surface of the Al–Pd–Mn quasicrystal

Abstract

Abstract Using STM, we show several off-stoichiometric impurity phases detected at the 2-fold Al–Pd–Mn quasicrystal surface. By comparing the observed surface structure to planes from similar bulk phases in the Al–Pd system, we identify these phases as β–Al–Pd and Pd5Mn3. C 60 is adsorbed at these domains, forming simple hexagonal close packed (hcp) structures. We identify potential adsorption schemes, and compare the adsorption behaviour to C60 on the quasicrystalline phase.