Growth of single crystals of quasicrystalline phases

To study the mechanical and physical properties of quasicrystals, single-crystal samples of large size (several centimeters) are necessary. However, obtainment of such single crystals meets a number of difficulties related to the peritectic character of melting of quasicrystalline compounds, high volatility and oxidizability of the initial components, low growth rate in aperiodic directions, and metastability of the most quasicrystalline structures. In this study, criteria for stable growth of quasicrystalline phases have been determined. The growth mechanisms of icosahedral and decahedral single crystals are described and experimental techniques of single-crystal growth are reviewed.