“Order” in metallic glass: Maximum uniformity distribution of cluster electrochemical potential

Metallic glass (MG) possesses many superior properties and hence has broad technical application prospect. However, the thermodynamic mechanism of its atomic arrangement has not been well understood to date. To better understand the thermodynamic mechanism of atomic arrangement in MG, a new concept named cluster electrochemical potential (CECP) is proposed in this study. By employing the molecular dynamics simulation, spatial distribution of the CECP has been investigated. Our results reveal that the seemingly disordered atomic arrangement in MG is controlled by the maximum uniformity distribution of CECP rule. These results provide a new viewpoint to better understand the thermodynamic mechanism of atomic arrangement in MG.