Short-range order in amorphous Ni-Zr alloys

The short-range order in amorphous ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{24.1}$ ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{75.9}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{33.3}$ ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{66.7}$ and ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{36.5}$ ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{63.5}$ alloys was investigated by anomalous x-ray scattering. The partial coordination numbers and interatomic distances are compared with the results of extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure measurements. The pair-correlation function of a heat-treated ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{36.5}$ ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{63.5}$ alloy shows a more pronounced structure and a larger correlation length than the as-cast alloy but is still typical for amorphous solids.