The hyperfine field distribution and the structure of metallic glasses

Abstract Because of the lack of long range order in metallic glasses, only pair correlation functions can be studied by diffraction measurements. Because of this, any indirect information on the structure is welcome. It is hoped that magnetic properties, crystallization and especially nuclear methods will be useful in this respect. In any case, the interpretation of the data always starts with two assumptions: 1. i) the validity of some structural model is accepted; 2. ii) the structure dependence of the measured quantity is assumed. It is often the case, that the assumptions made in (ii) are very approximate yet some definite conclusions are, however, reached on the structure. A typical example is the hyperfine field distribution. It will be shown that within the limits of our understanding the hyperfine field in metallic substances, any existing structural model can equally well be used to interpret the hyperfine field distribution of metallic glasses.