Phonon dispersion in metallic glasses: A simple model

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Analytic expressions for the dispersion of longitudinal and transverse phonons are obtained for one-component metallic glasses and amorphous materials on the basis of a simple model. The model assumes a central force, effective between the nearest neighbors, and a volume-dependent force due to conduction electrons. The expressions reproduce chief characteristic features of the dispersion curves both for the longitudinal and transverse phonons (e.g., oscillatory behavior in one and lack thereof in the other, etc.) obtained by neutron scattering and computer-simulation techniques. The model, within its framework, also illustrates that the results may depend on the starting structure from which the glass is made. The special cases of a liquid and forces that are entirely central are also discussed.