Short-range order in Gd₄Cu₃ metallic glass

The pair correlation function for Gd₄Cu₃ metallic glass has been determined using X-ray diffraction. A model for the Gd₄Cu₃ glassy structure has been selected by comparing the experimental pair correlation function with model ones for disordered cyrstal structures. The structure model has been verified by means of a non-linear squares profile analysis of the experimental pair correlation function. It has been established that the local atomic arrangement in the Gd₄Cu₃ metallic glass resembles that in tetrahedrally close-packed Zr₄Al₃-type (Frank-Kasper type) crystalline compounds. Similarity in the topological short-range order of both glassy structures has been found by comparing the characteristic structural parameters of Gd₄Cu₃ and of Gd₄Al₃ metallic glasses. This indicates that the second metallic component (Al; Cu) does not play an important role in the formation of the local order in these glasses.