Size distribution and composition of magnetic precipitates in amorphous Ni-P alloy

Primary crystallization of Ni(P) particles in hypoeutectic Ni-P amorphous alloy is investigated. Small-angle scattering with polarized neutrons is used to find simultaneously the particle size distribution and the size dependence of the particle composition. The size distribution consists of a peak at particle radius of ∼1 nm and a tail spanning from ∼2 to 15 nm.The composition of the particles forming the peak decreases from ∼9 to ∼2 at% P while their radii increase from 0.8 to 2 nm. The particles in the tail of the size distribution (2-15 nm) have nearly constant P content in the range of 0-2 at%.