Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Metallic glass formation by solid state reactions has been observed in multilayer Zr-Co diffusion couples. The kinetics of the reaction are limited by the diffusion of the Co-atoms in the growing amorphous layer, at least for longer times, as shown by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and resistance measurements. The latter one provides the interdiffusion constant and the activation energy of about 1.1 eV. Deposition of the crystalline layers at 77 K results in an enhanced amorphization process in the first stage of the reaction and gives preliminary answers about the nucleation of the amorphous phase.