Nanoscale phase separation in amorphous immiscible copper-niobium alloy thin films

Abstract

While amorphous phases have been reported in immiscible alloy systems, there is still some controversy regarding the reason for the stabilization of these unusual amorphous phases. In this letter, using three-dimensional atom probe tomography, direct evidence of nanoscale phase separation within the amorphous phase forming in immiscible Cu–Nb alloy thin films has been presented. This evidence clearly indicates that the nanoscale phase separation is responsible for the stabilization of the amorphous phase in such immiscible systems since it substantially reduces the free energy of the undercooled liquid (or amorphous) phase, below that of the competing supersaturated crystalline phases.