Emergence of physical properties mapped in a two-component system

TL;DR

This paper investigates how physical properties emerge and vary in Au-Ag alloys across different scales, revealing composition-dependent fluctuations that diminish with increasing volume, bridging quantum to mesoscale behaviors.

Contribution

It demonstrates how composition influences property emergence in a two-component alloy system from quantum to mesoscale, highlighting boundary and volume effects.

Findings

Composition-dependent fluctuations in atomic cohesion and rupture force

Fluctuations diminish with increasing volume

Bulk alloys form near-ideal solid solutions

Abstract

Emergence of various properties is mapped in a two-component system from quantum to mesoscale, using Au-Ag alloys. Experiments are designed so that composition is the primary 'interaction' guiding the evolution of properties across 'emergent length scales'. In bulk, Au-Ag form near-ideal solid solutions at all compositions. In contrast, dramatic composition-dependent fluctuations are observed during emergence of atomic cohesion, force required to rupture the bonds, and deformation modes. These fluctuations rapidly smoothen out as volume effects drown out the boundary effects.