Crystalline Surface Phases of the Liquid Au-Si Eutectic Alloy

TL;DR

This study reveals a unique two-dimensional crystalline surface layer on liquid Au-Si alloy that undergoes a first-order phase transition, exhibiting distinct structural phases above and below 371°C, with implications for surface phase behavior.

Contribution

It reports the discovery of a crystalline surface layer on liquid Au-Si alloy and characterizes its phase transition and structural changes with temperature.

Findings

Surface crystalline layer exists above melting point.

A first-order phase transition occurs at 371°C.

Two coexisting oblique phases are observed above 371°C.

Abstract

A two dimensional crystalline layer is found at the surface of the liquid eutectic Au$_{82}$Si$_{18}$ alloy above its melting point $T_M=359 ^{\circ}$C. Underlying this crystalline layer we find a layered structure, 6-7 atomic layers thick. This surface layer undergoes a first-order solid-solid phase transition occurring at $371 ^{\circ}$C. The crystalline phase observed for T$>$371 $^{\circ}$C is stable up to at least 430 $^{\circ}$C. Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction data at T$>$371 $^{\circ}$C imply lateral order comprising two coexisting phases of different oblique unit cells, in stark contrast with the single phase with a rectangular unit cell found for low-temperature crystalline phase $359 ^{\circ}$C$<T<371 ^{\circ}$C.