Abstract :
We demonstrate the effects of different inert sputtering gases on the surface composition of icosahedral i-. Al–Pd–Mn.
The sputtering gases used include He, Ne, Ar, Xe, and Kr. We demonstrate that the steady-state composition is independent
of the inert gas chosen. This steady-state composition falls outside of the quasicrystalline region of the Al–Pd–Mn phase
diagram. However, the fluence ionsrcm2. to achieve steady-state depends on the inert gas. Helium requires a much higher
fluence than the other gases. Because of this, He can be used to clean the surface, if the time fluence.for sputtering is kept
to a minimum, without causing the large compositional shift induced with a relatively small fluence by the most common
sputtering gas, Ar. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
