A long-period superlattice phase in Mg97Zn1Yb2 alloys synthesized under high-pressure

A novel long-period superlattice Mg77Zn9Yb14 phase, whose dimensions are described as √ 3 × √ 3 × 3 with respect to the original hexagonal close-packed Mg lattice, has been found in Mg97Zn1Yb2 alloys synthesized under high pressure (5 GPa) and at high temperature (723 K). A preliminary model structure is constructed based on atomic-resolution electron microscopy and first-principles calculations, providing local configurations around Yb atoms whose sizes appear to be smaller than those of a divalent Yb. This may be reasonably attributed to an applied high-pressure effect.

Graphical abstractA novel long-period superlattice (LPSL) Mg77Zn9Yb14 phase.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (146 K)Download as PowerPoint slide