Small-angle neutron scattering behavior of Fe₉₁Zr₉ glass under magnetic field

Abstract

Zero-field and in-field small-angle neutron scattering measurements over a wide Q range are presented for the Fe₉₁Zr₉ metallic glass in the 10-290 K range. Two transitions observed at 210 K and around 60 K are related to Tc and reentrant transition temperature, respectively. The spectra (0.003 Å^-1 < Q< 0.5 Å^-1) reveal the existence of an important contribution at the lowest Q values and at least two humps in the entire curves. The application of the magnetic field results in an anisotropic signal, and a global decrease of intensity. The magnetic field drastically reduces I(Q) in the region for Q<0.04 Å^-1, but not so strongly at larger Q values (even at H=4 T), becoming more evident a remaining hump. Its origin can so far be uniquely explained by the models dealing with the existence of clusters embedded in a ferromagnetic matrix.