Preparation of Zn–Mg–rare earth quasicrystals and related crystalline phases

We present our results in growing large single quasicrystals of the icosahedral phase in the Zn–Mg–Ho system with the top-seeded solution growth method. We also show new results of investigations on the Zn–Mg–Y phase diagram focussing on the sector with low Y content, to obtain some information about the solidification behavior of the decagonal phase. In addition, the R-phase, a novel cubic approximant for the icosahedral phase in the Zn–Mg–Er system, is presented.