Open AccessIntrinsic correlation between β-relaxation and spatial heterogeneity in a metallic glass
Author(s) -
Fan Zhu,
Hung K. Nguyen,
Shuangxi Song,
Daisman P. B. Aji,
Akihiko Hirata,
Hao Wang,
Ken Nakajima,
Luyang Chen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
nature communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.559
H-Index - 365
ISSN - 2041-1723
DOI - 10.1038/ncomms11516
Subject(s) - relaxation (psychology) , spatial heterogeneity , nanoscopic scale , materials science , chemical physics , amorphous metal , dynamical heterogeneity , spatial correlation , molecular dynamics , chemistry , nanotechnology , computational chemistry , glass transition , biology , ecology , alloy , polymer , telecommunications , neuroscience , computer science , composite material
β-relaxation has long been attributed to localized motion of constituent molecules or atoms confined to isolated regions in glasses. However, direct experimental evidence to support this spatially heterogeneous scenario is still missing. Here we report the evolution of nanoscale structural heterogeneity in a metallic glass during β-relaxation by utilizing amplitude-modulation dynamic atomic force microscopy. The successive degeneration of heterogeneity during β-relaxation can be well described by the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts equation. The characteristic relaxation time and activation energy of the heterogeneity evolution are in accord with those of excess enthalpy release by β-relaxation. Our study correlates β-relaxation with nanoscale spatial heterogeneity and provides direct evidence on the structural origins of β-relaxation in metallic glasses.