Origin of the Modulated Phase in Copper-Gold Alloys

Abstract
Statistical modulated phases which occur at high temperature in a number of alloy systems such as copper-gold cannot be explained either in an axial Ising model or by using arguments based on Fermi surface–Brillouin zone interactions. Instead we argue that these phases are stabilized by local disordering at antiphase boundaries. We back up our statements with precise density functional calculations in the local density approximation.