X-ray diffraction study of an amorphous Al60Ge30Ni10 alloy

The ordinary X-ray diffraction profile and anomalous X-ray scattering profiles at nickel and germanium K absorption edges of amorphous Al₆₀Ge₃₀Ni₁₀ alloy have been determined. The results indicate the characteristic feature of the coexistence of nickel-rich highly ordered crystal-like regions and germanium-rich amorphous regions. From the environmental radial distribution function around germanium atoms, the coordination number around a germanium atom is estimated at about 4. Thus, an amorphous germanium-like structure may be quite feasible in this region.