EXAFS Evidence of a Phase Transition in Icosahedral AlLiCu Quasicrystals under High Pressure

Abstract

In situ EXAFS studies, performed at the Cu K absorption edge, are reported for icosahedral Al 6 Li 3 Cu quasicrystals from ambient pressure up to 33 GPa. The increase in the average distance of first neighbours around Cu atoms above 20 GPa is interpreted as the finger-print of a phase transition, while the evolution of the disorder parameter could be the signature of phason disorder.