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

ABSTRACT: Scanning tunnelling microscopy observations resolve the structure and dynamics of metallic glass Cu100-xHfx films and demonstrate scanning tunnelling microscopy 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. Scanning tunnelling microscopy can locally restore the relaxed state, allowing for nanoscale lithographic definition of aged sections.

SUBMITTER: Burgess JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4976322 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature