Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis on the in-plane cluster distribution during heating amorphous Mg₈₅Y₉Cu₆ alloys

In-plane cluster arrangements of a long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) structure in MgYCu alloys were examined by reverse Monte Carlo fitting of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) intensities. In situ SAXS measurements were performed at a heating rate of 10 K min(-1). from the glass state to the mp. The clusters were characterized as so-called L12 clusters commonly observed in the LPSO structures. The results suggest that the average in-plane distance of the clusters decreased during heating. The distance showed two preferred average distances, in contrast to the MgYZn case where the average distance decrease monotonically during heating.