A study of the ternary Rh–Mn–Bi phase diagram revealed the existence of two new ternary bis­muthides, viz. hexa­rhodium penta­manganese octadecabismuthide (Rh₆Mn₅Bi₁₈) and rhodium manganese tribismuthide (RhMnBi₃). Their crystal structures represent new structure types.

Experimental crystal structures that are amenable for inclusion in global phase diagrams as previously developed are identified.

The state of the art of structure research on quasicrystals is reviewed. Some questions concerning formation, growth and stability are addressed.

The integration of a Maia detector in the Microprobe setup of beamline P06 at the storage ring PETRA III at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg, Germany, is described. The Maia detector is an advanced imaging scheme for energy-dispersive detection and the analytical performance at the beamline is characterized and examples from key applications are provided.