Theory of surface effects in binary alloys with fcc crystal structure: A Landau approach

Abstract

The interplay of surface segregation and ordering in binary alloys with face-centered-cubic structure is studied within the Landau theory of phase transitions. In contrast to the bulk first-order transition, the surface may disorder in a continuous manner. We find that the surface disorders at the temperature at which a bulk-ordered and a surface-disordered phase coexist. A mechanism for the bulk first-order phase transition is discussed.