Short-range order in RE₄Al₃ metallic glasses (RE = Pr, Gd, Tb, Dy)

A suitable model structure of RE₄Al₃ metallic glasses (RE = Pr, Gd, Tb, Dy) has been selected by comparing experimental pair correlation functions with model pair correlation functions for disordered crystal structures. A non-linear least-squares profile analysis of the experimental pair correlation functions has been performed with the use of the characteristic structural parameters of the model structure as variable parameters. The partial atomic distances and the partial coordination numbers have been estimated on the basis of the best fitting parameters. It is established that the local atomic arrangement in RE₄Al₃ metallic glasses resembles that in tetrahedrally close-packed Zr₄Al₃-type crystalline compounds.