Spatially Heterogeneous Dynamics in a Metallic Glass Forming Liquid Imaged by Electron Correlation Microscopy

TL;DR

This study visualizes the spatially heterogeneous atomic dynamics in a supercooled metallic glass liquid using electron correlation microscopy, revealing a growing correlation length and surface effects near the glass transition.

Contribution

First direct experimental visualization of spatially heterogeneous dynamics in a metallic glass liquid with sub-nanometer resolution, linking experimental data to theoretical models.

Findings

Dynamic correlation length increases upon cooling.

Surface layer exhibits faster relaxation dynamics.

Results agree with Adam-Gibbs and mode coupling theories.

Abstract

Supercooled liquids exhibit spatial heterogeneity in the dynamics of their fluctuating atomic arrangements. The length and time scales of the heterogeneous dynamics are central to the glass transition and influence nucleation and growth of crystals from the liquid. We report direct experimental visualization of the spatially heterogeneous dynamics as a function of temperature in the supercooled liquid state of a Pt-based metallic glass, using electron correlation microscopy with sub-nanometer resolution. An experimental four point space-time intensity correlation function demonstrates a growing dynamic correlation length, $\xi$, upon cooling of the liquid toward the glass transition temperature. $\xi$ as a function of the relaxation time $\tau$ data are in the good agreement with the Adam-Gibbs, inhomogeneous mode coupling theory and random first order transition theory of the glass transition. The same experiments demonstrate the existence of a nanometer thickness near surface layer with order of magnitude shorter relaxation time than inside the bulk.