Thin Cu films on quasicrystalline surfaces

Quasicrystals present an entirely new class of materials. Due to their unusual properties (e.g. hardness, low coefficient of friction, low surface free energy, etc.) quasicrystals are promising candidates for future technological applications. These include specialized "low-tech" applications like dry sliding mechanical devices and manufacturing of sintered tools but also many "high-tech" applications like the use of quasicrystals for hydrogen storage or photonic materials. The project aims at investigating the possibility of using quasicrystal surfaces as templates for growing thin films with special crystalline structure and morphology. These films are expected to exhibit novel electronic, chemical, physical and optical properties. The scientific goals of the project are fourfold: 1. characterize the physical, chemical, electronic and optical properties of the Cu-AlPdMn model system for a range of Cu film thicknesses. 2. perform a temperature dependent study of the adsorption properties of oxygen, nitrogen and nitrogen oxide and investigate changes in the properties of the Cu-AlPdMn model system. 3. study the oxidation of the Cu-AlPdMn model system in real time using photoelectron emission microscopy and compare the results to available data from oxidation studies of single- and polycrystalline Cu. 4. characterize the tribological properties of the Cu-AlPdMn model system using friction force atomic-force- microscopy. These tasks shall be accomplished by applying a number of experimental analytical methods (namely, photoelectron emission microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, low energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy as well as optical techniques) with each analytical method providing complementary information on the sample morphology, composition and electronic/optical properties. The expected experimental results should provide answers to relevant questions in the field of quasicrystal research and the use of quasicrystalline thin films as templates for growing films or nanostructures with novel properties.

Quasicrystals present an entirely new class of materials. Due to their unusual properties (e.g. hardness, low coefficient of friction, low surface free energy, etc.) quasicrystals are promising candidates for future technological applications. These include specialized "low-tech" applications like dry sliding mechanical devices and manufacturing of sintered tools but also many "high-tech" applications like the use of quasicrystals for hydrogen storage or photonic materials. The project aims at investigating the possibility of using quasicrystal surfaces as templates for growing thin films with special crystalline structure and morphology. These films are expected to exhibit novel electronic, chemical, physical and optical properties. The scientific goals of the project are fourfold: 1. characterize the physical, chemical, electronic and optical properties of the Cu-AlPdMn model system for a range of Cu film thicknesses. 2. perform a temperature dependent study of the adsorption properties of oxygen, nitrogen and nitrogen oxide and investigate changes in the properties of the Cu-AlPdMn model system. 3. study the oxidation of the Cu-AlPdMn model system in real time using photoelectron emission microscopy and compare the results to available data from oxidation studies of single- and polycrystalline Cu. 4. characterize the tribological properties of the Cu-AlPdMn model system using friction force atomic-force- microscopy. These tasks shall be accomplished by applying a number of experimental analytical methods (namely, photoelectron emission microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, low energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy as well as optical techniques) with each analytical method providing complementary information on the sample morphology, composition and electronic/optical properties. The expected experimental results should provide answers to relevant questions in the field of quasicrystal research and the use of quasicrystalline thin films as templates for growing films or nanostructures with novel properties.