Cluster structure of the surface in the amorphous, quasicrystalline, and liquid states

Abstract

The electronic structure of the Zr60Ni20Ti20, Al65Cu20Fe15, and Al86Mn14 systems has been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and band calculations of the total and partial densities of electronic states have been carried out by the TB-LMTO-ASA method with the aim of studying the chemical bonds and the nearest environment of atoms in the liquid, amorphous, and quasicrystalline states. A direct proof of the inheritance of the chemical structure of the liquid state in the amorphous and quasicrystalline states has been obtained for the first time. The similarity of the electronic structure and the nearest environment of atoms indicates identity of clusters in the liquid, amorphous, and quasicrystalline states. The degree of hybridization of valence electrons of atoms in clusters increases in going from the quasicrystalline to the amorphous state due to the increase the number of transition metal atoms in clusters.