Atomic structure in Al-doped multicomponent bulk metallic glass

 The atomic structure of Zr48Cu45Al7 bulk metallic glass is investigated by Monte Carlo simulation upon synchrotron radiation data. Strong bonding and dense cluster packing caused by the minor addition of Al are two key local structural features that may retard the rearrangement of atoms and clusters during quench, facilitating glass formation. Based on this work, we present a strategy to reveal the relationship between local structure and glass-forming ability by focusing on the structural features caused by doping atoms from the atomic and cluster scales.