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Angle-dispersive monochromatic x-ray diffraction spectra from a perfect single-grain AlPdMn quasicrystal have been obtained under hydrostatic pressure in a diamond anvil cell, providing the most accurate determination of the equation of state in this pressure range to date.

Abstract

Angle-dispersive monochromatic x-ray diffraction spectra from a perfect single-grain AlPdMn quasicrystal have been obtained under hydrostatic pressure in a diamond anvil cell up to 35 GPa. More than 50 Bragg peaks with sharpness comparable to that at ambient conditions were observed up to the maximum pressure, indexed and used to measure the hypercubic 6D lattice parameter, providing the most accurate determination of the equation of state in this pressure range to date. Within the instrumental resolution, the absence of broadening of the diffraction peaks indicates the absence of structural transition and/or unusual configurational entropy change expected from previous studies through pressure-induced amorphization or phason defects.