Nucleation and growth of pseudomorphic monolayers on quasicrystal surfaces

Abstract

We present a review of experimental studies of adsorption systems where pseudomorphic growth on quasicrystal surfaces has been observed. From these studies, we correlate information on the known or suggested adsorption and nucleation sites. For fivefold surfaces of icosahedral quasicrystals, two favoured locations emerge: the centres of equatorially truncated pseudo-Mackay clusters, and the centres of pentagonal hollows. The information on adsorption sites on decagonal quasicrystals is less definitive. Nevertheless the correlation of known information leads to a simple picture of pseudomorphic growth, at least for the first monolayer. We also remark on the possibilities for studies using quantitative surface structural techniques.