Short-range order of dense-random-packing models of metallic glasses

Abstract

Numerical calculations have been performed pertaining to the structure of binary transition-metal-metalloid glasses as a function of concentration and ratio of the atomic radii. A dense-random-packing-of-hard-spheres model as well as a relaxed model have been employed. To obtain information about the short-range order in the model structures, the average coordination numbers and probability distributions of coordination numbers have been studied in particular. It is shown that the short-range order predicted by the two models is nearly the same. The discrepancy with chemical ordering observed in some experiments is ascribed to the use of spherically symmetric interatomic potentials in the model calculations.