Structure of the fivefold surface of the icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal: experimental evidence of bulk truncations at larger interlayer spacings.

Based on scanning tunneling microscopy of the fivefold surface of the icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal and the refined structure model of the isostructural i-Al-Pd-Mn, we present evidence that the surface corresponds to bulk truncations at the positions where blocks of atomic layers are separated by larger interlayer spacings (gaps). Both step-height distribution and high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy images on terraces reveal bulk truncations at larger gaps.