Author: R. Teghila, L. D’Alessio, M. A. Simone, M. Zaccagnino, D. Ferro, DJ Sordelet

Institute: Department of Chemistry, University of Basilicata, via N. Sauro 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy

Pulsed laser ablation of Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals is an innovative method that allows for the effective modification and study of the properties of these materials. Quasicrystals, with their unusual structure and unique physical and chemical properties, attract the attention of scientists and engineers seeking to create new promising materials for use in various industries.

Quasicrystalline Al–Cu23–Fe12 targets were evaporated using a dual Nd:YAG laser and deposited on silicon substrates. The results show that different evaporation mechanisms lead to changes in gas compositions depending on the laser power. Films with a quasicrystalline phase can be deposited only at energies above 6.5 J/cm2, while an excess of aluminum is observed at lower energies. We compared films obtained by laser ablation of quasicrystalline Al65–Cu23–Fe12 with films made of Al70–Cu20–Fe10 alloy. The differences between these systems are explained by the low thermal conductivity of the quasicrystalline phase.

Quasicrystals are innovative materials with unique chemical and technological properties, including low thermal conductivity and high hardness. Due to their fragility, they are most often used as film coatings.

In our study, we evaluated the possibility of using the pulsed laser ablation (PLAD) method to create thin films of the quasi-crystalline type. Only two works on this topic are presented in the literature, and both successful and unsuccessful experiments are described. In this article, we analyze the ablation process in detail to clarify its mechanism and deposition conditions.

The laser ablation process involves the use of high-energy laser pulses that cause rapid evacuation of atoms and molecules from the surface of a quasi-crystalline sample. This method not only allows for the production of thin films and nanoparticles, but also allows for fine-tuning of their morphology and chemical composition, opening up new horizons for the development of highly effective functional materials.

Studies show that laser processing produces interesting effects such as changes in electronic properties and the creation of new phases, which indicates the potential of quasicrystals in the field of microelectronics, optoelectronics and new catalysts. Thus, pulsed laser ablation becomes an important tool in the field of materials science and nanotechnology.