Pseudomorphic starfish: nucleation of extrinsic metal atoms on a quasicrystalline substrate

Direct observation of extrinsic Al atoms on the fivefold surface of icosahedral Al–Cu–Fe indicates that they form pseudomorphic islands resembling starfish. The starfish occupy specific types of sites on the laterally-bulk-terminated quasicrystalline surface. We postulate that the nucleation event consists of a diffusing Al atom dropping into an empty site at the centre of a substrate pentagon. Growth consists of the addition of five Al atoms (nearly) in lattice sites. These 6-atom starfish do not grow laterally as coverage increases, leading to islands of uniform size, and to early roughening.