Epitactic growth of a decagonal phase in an Al–Ni–Co alloy film deposited on a (0001) sapphire substrate.

Thin films of Al–Ni–Co alloy with an average thickness of 15  nm were produced by means of conventional vacuum deposition technique on (0001) sapphire substrates heated at various test temperatures. The microstructures and textures of the films obtained were thoroughly investigated by atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron diffraction and imaging techniques. The diffraction measurements have evidenced that the vacuum deposition of Al72Ni15Co13 alloy on the substrates heated above 400°C allows a homogeneous poly-quasicrystalline film, consisting of the Ni-rich basic decagonal phase to grow. It has been further indicated by in-plane XRD analysis that the film deposited at 550°C contains a considerable amount of the decagonal grains epitaxially grown on the sapphire substrate. Possible epitaxial relations occurring between the deposit and the substrate will be detailed on the basis of results obtained from electron diffraction measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]