Evidence of itinerant magnetism in a metallic nanoglass

Metallic nanoglasses are amorphous alloys which are prepared by consolidation of amorphous nanoparticles. The result is a unique two-component structure with comparable volume fractions, an interfacial component of nanometer-sized regions of reduced density, and a component in the cores of the nanoparticles. The magnetic properties of a Fe90Sc10 nanoglass and a rapidly quenched metallic glass as a reference have been investigated by means of Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic Compton scattering. The contribution of itinerant electrons to the magnetic moment in the interfaces is higher than in crystalline Fe and all known amorphous transition metal alloys. Consequently, the FeSc nanoglass represents a material with magnetic properties different from any known amorphous alloys.