Liquid-like structure of vapour quenched SnAu- and SnCu-films

SnAu- and SnCu-alloys are vapour quenched at cryogenic temperatures. Resistivity and electron diffraction patterns were recorded in situ. The scattered intensities have been normalized to interference functions. The overall agreement with those of the corresponding liquid systems is quite well. The average interatomic distances obtained from the atomic distribution functions show a concentration dependence which corresponds closely to that found in liquid SnAu and SnCu respectively. This gives evidence to the statement that the nearest neighbour organisations of the films are very similar to those of the corresponding liquids. Furthermore it turned out that the local structures in the Sn-rich SnAu-system are substantial different from those in the Sn-rich SnCu-system, except in the vicinity of a minimum amount of noble metals (8–10 at.%), which is necessary to stabilize the amorphous state.