Structural characterization of amorphous electrodeposited cobalt-phosphorus alloys

Abstract

The structure of amorphous electrodeposited Co‐P alloy foils has been examined by x‐ray scattering techniques. Samples with phosphorus contents from 18 to 26 at.% have been examined with large‐angle x‐ray scattering. Atomic arrangements in these alloys are described in terms of radial distribution functions. Effects of alloy composition on randomness of short‐range order, atomic‐pair distances, and strength of long‐range order have been observed. Evidence of large‐scale (10–10⁴‐Å) composition fluctuations has been obtained from small‐angle x‐ray scattering on amorphous Co_77.5P_22.5 samples. The composition fluctuation regions are anisotropically shaped (rodlike) with their largest extent (≳2000 Å) perpendicular to the foil plane and their smallest extent (∼60 Å) in the foil plane.