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arXiv · 1409.5111

Nanoscale Structure, Dynamics, and Aging Behavior of Metallic Glass Thin Films

Jacob A. J. Burgess·Chris M. B. Holt·Erik J. Luber·David C. Fortin·Greg Popowich·Ben Zahiri·Paul Concepcion·David Mitlin·Mark R. Freeman
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Abstract

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations resolve the structure and dynamics of metallic glass Cu$_{100-x}$Hf$_{x}$ films and demonstrate STM control of aging at a metallic glass surface. Surface clusters exhibit heterogeneous hopping dynamics. Low Hf concentration films feature an aged surface of larger, slower clusters. Argon ion-sputtering destroys the aged configuration, yielding a surface in constant fluctuation. STM can locally restore the relaxed state, allowing for nanoscale lithographic definition of aged sections.

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Jacob A. J. Burgess, Chris M. B. Holt, Erik J. Luber, David C. Fortin, Greg Popowich, Ben Zahiri, Paul Concepcion, David Mitlin, Mark R. Freeman. 2014-09-17. Nanoscale Structure, Dynamics, and Aging Behavior of Metallic Glass Thin Films. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30973

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