On the atomic structure of Zr60Cu20Fe20 metallic glass.

The structure of Zr(60)Cu(20)Fe(20) metallic glass has been studied with high-energy x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and extended x-ray absorption spectroscopy and modelled with the reverse Monte Carlo simulation technique. It is found that Cu and Fe atoms prefer Zr as a nearest neighbour. The mean interatomic distance between Cu/Fe and Zr atoms in the glass is remarkably shorter than the sum of the respective atomic radii. The coordination numbers for Cu/Fe-Cu/Fe pairs are very close to each other, suggesting a regular distribution of Cu and Fe atoms in the Zr(60)Cu(20)Fe(20) metallic glass.