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 (5GPa) and at high temperature (723K). 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. A novel long-period superlattice (LPSL) Mg77Zn9Yb14 phase. [Display omitted]