First x-ray scattering studies on electrostatically levitated metallic liquids: demonstrated influence of local icosahedral order on the nucleation barrier.
To explain the unusual stability of undercooled liquids against crystallization, Frank hypothesized that the local structures of undercooled liquids contain a significant degree of icosahedral short-range order, which is incompatible with long-range periodicity. We present here the first direct experimental demonstration of Frank's complete hypothesis, showing a correlation between the nucleation barrier and a growing icosahedral short-range order with decreasing temperature in a Ti39.5Zr39.5Ni21 liquid. A new experimental facility, BESL (Beamline Electrostatic Levitation), was developed to enable the synchrotron x-ray structural studies on deeply undercooled, reactive liquids.
Kelton
K F
KF
Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Lee
G W
GW
Gangopadhyay
A K
AK
Hyers
R W
RW
Rathz
T J
TJ
Rogers
J R
JR
Robinson
M B
MB
Robinson
D S
DS