Work

Alpha-relaxation by scattering and medium-range atomic correlation in simple liquids

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The relaxation dynamics of liquid and glass can be studied by inelastic x-ray or neutron scattering through the intermediate scattering function F(Q, t), where Q is the momentum transfer of scattering. Because of the time-consuming nature of these measurements, F(Q, t) is usually measured only at the first peak of the structure function S(Q), and its principal decay time is referred to as the α-relaxation time τα. τα is generally considered to describe the relaxation time of the bulk, which is related to viscosity and is controlled by the atomic cage around an atom. Here, through simulations on metallic liquids, we show that the α-relaxation time determined by scattering experiments does not purely reflect viscosity but is influenced by changes in spatial cooperativity. We also demonstrate that atomic caging is not exerted by the nearest neighbors but involves more cooperative atomic dynamics of the atomic medium-range order.

Source: The Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI: 10.1063/5.0294550

Authors: Chae Woo Ryu, Takeshi Egami

Institutions: University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Hongik University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Material Dynamics and Properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500

Funders: National Research Foundation of Korea, Office of Science