Phason strain in the crystallization of icosahedral AlMnSi

Abstract On re-examining the diffraction patterns of a previous in situ heating experiment on i-AlMnSi we found that the diffraction spots are not aligned in straight lines. The diffraction patterns are interpreted as arising from a distorted icosahedral phase with a particular linear phason strain, instead of from α-AlMnSi. This implies that the crystallization of i-AlMnSi is accomplished with a change of phason strain.