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Cooling Rate Dependent Ellipsometry Measurements to Determine the Dynamics of Thin Glassy Films
Published on: January 26, 2016
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Nanoscale Structure, Dynamics, and Aging Behavior of Metallic Glass Thin Films
J A J Burgess1,2, C M B Holt1,3, E J Luber1,4
1National Institute for Nanotechnology, Edmonton, Canada.
Scientific Reports
|August 9, 2016
Summary
Scanning tunnelling microscopy reveals how metallic glass surfaces age and fluctuate. This technique allows for precise control over surface aging, enabling nanoscale patterning of metallic glass films.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Metallic glasses, amorphous alloys lacking crystalline structure, exhibit unique surface properties.
- Understanding the dynamics and aging of metallic glass surfaces is crucial for their application.
- Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) is a powerful tool for atomic-scale surface investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and dynamics of metallic glass Cu100-xHfx films using STM.
- To demonstrate the control of surface aging in metallic glasses via STM.
- To explore the potential for nanoscale patterning of aged metallic glass surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilized scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) to observe metallic glass Cu100-xHfx films.
- Analyzed surface cluster dynamics, including heterogeneous hopping.
- Employed argon ion-sputtering to disrupt aged surface configurations.
Main Results:
- STM observations resolved the structure and dynamics of metallic glass surfaces.
- Heterogeneous hopping dynamics of surface clusters were identified.
- Low Hf concentration films showed aged surfaces with larger, slower clusters.
- Argon ion-sputtering induced surface fluctuations, destroying the aged state.
- STM was shown to locally restore the relaxed (aged) state.
Conclusions:
- STM provides atomic-level insight into metallic glass surface aging and dynamics.
- Surface aging in metallic glasses can be controlled and manipulated using STM.
- STM enables nanoscale lithographic definition of aged metallic glass sections, opening avenues for advanced material patterning.
