Polyamorphism in Yb-based metallic glass induced by pressure

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• High-Pressure Physics

Background:

• Metallic glasses exhibit unique structural properties.
• Lanthanide-based metallic glasses are of interest due to their electronic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the high-pressure behavior of Yb$_{62.5}$Zn$_{15}$Mg$_{17.5}$Cu$_{5}$ metallic glass.
• Determine the structural transformations under pressure.

Main Methods:

• Synchrotron X-ray total scattering
• High-pressure experiments up to 38.4 GPa
• In situ electrical resistance measurements

Main Results:

• Observed polyamorphic transformation from low-density to high-density states.
• Identified a transition region between 14.1 and 25.2 GPa.
• Detected a volume collapse linked to icosahedral short-range order and Yb 4f electron delocalization.

Conclusions:

• Pressure-induced polyamorphism is a general characteristic of lanthanide-based metallic glasses.
• The observed phenomena correlate with electrical resistance changes.
• Structural evolution under pressure provides insights into metallic glass behavior.