Scientists find unique metal atom arrangement

摘要

The study of nanomaterials made of ultrafine particles has been reportedly advanced recently by leading scientists from Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) (Argonne, Illinois) and Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts), among other institutions. Using a highly brilliant, hard x-ray beam, researchers have seen metal atoms arrange themselves in alternating layers one atom thick near a liquid alloy surface, ANL officials report. Using x-rays, the researchers examined how bismuth and tin atoms acted when forming a liquid alloy. In the bulk material, the two elements combined as well as cream and hot coffee. Near the surface, however, the two elements separated into distinct atomic layers.