Icosahedral microclusters a possible structural unit in amorphous metals

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Abstract
A model for amorphous metals is proposed. The model is based on the 13 atom icosahedron which is the minimum energy structure for a 13 atom cluster. An amorphous metal is considered as containing a high density of these structural units. The material surrounding the icosahedra is partially ordered. The spaces between the ordered regions may be disordered. This model successfully accounts for the experimental interference functions in amorphous materials. It is explained, why, physically, such a structure should be expected to form. It is also shown that structures such as that proposed are observed when, in a computer experiment, a liquid is quenched very rapidly into the solid phase.