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Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
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Fast Crystallization Driven by Quasiatomic Electrons at Ultralow Temperatures.
Long Zhao1, Hongxiang Zong1, Artem R Oganov2
1Xi'an Jiaotong University, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an 710049, China.
Physical Review Letters
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Electride liquids exhibit rapid crystallization at low temperatures due to flexible quasiatomic electrons. This electronic contribution accelerates atomic motion and solid-liquid interface softening, challenging traditional crystallization theories.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Electride liquids feature delocalized electrons forming quasiatomic electrons in interstitial regions.
- Understanding crystallization kinetics in exotic liquid states is crucial for materials science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism behind fast crystallization in dense electride potassium liquid at ultralow temperatures.
- To explore the role of quasiatomic electrons in dictating metallic solidification.
Main Methods:
- Machine-learned molecular dynamic simulations.
- Ab initio calculations.
- Analysis of quasiatomic electron behavior and population at low temperatures.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated rapid crystallization in dense electride potassium liquid.
- Attributed fast crystallization to quasiatomic electron flexibility and enhanced population at low temperatures.
- Observed accelerated atomic mobility and softened solid-liquid interface stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Quasiatomic electron flexibility is a key factor in rapid metallic solidification.
- Electronic contributions significantly influence crystallization kinetics, challenging conventional views.
- Uncovered a novel mechanism where electron behavior dictates solidification processes.
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