Surface states and magnetic heterogeneity in iron-based glasses

Small angle neutron scattering experiments have been performed on amorphous Fe70Cr5P15C10 alloys. Contributions to SANS intensity due to magnetic heterogeneities, surface imperfections and possible bulk atomic heterogeneities have been obtained using contrast variation methods (application of an external magnetic field and/or immersion of the sample in a deuterated liquid). The bulk atomic scattering may be as small as 2 % of that due to the surface, which in turn is less than 5 % of that coming from magnetic heterogeneities. Polishing procedures amplify these phenomena still further.