The interest of x-ray imaging for the study of defects in real quasicrystals

The understanding of defects in quasicrystals has improved through x-ray imaging at ESRF, one of the first operating third-generation synchrotron radiation sources. These sources, while enhancing the possibilities of x-ray topography, opened the way to new techniques like phase contrast radiography and tomography. The combination of these techniques makes it possible to visualize and characterize both structural defects and inhomogeneities in the bulk of real quasicrystals. Defects exhibiting a loop-shaped contrast, previously observed by x-ray topography in both AlCuFe and AlPdMn quasicrystals, were related to inhomogeneities (holes and precipitates) revealed by phase radiography and tomography. The evolution of the defects after annealing provides clues on their nature and formation. The experimental results are discussed with reference to the existing structural models for quasicrystals. Those concerning holes are in fair agreement with the predictions of a theoretical model introduced by Janot et al to describe the structure of icosahedral AlPdMn quasicrystals in terms of hierarchical self-similar packing of overlapping atomic clusters.