Atomic-Scale Heterogeneity of a Multicomponent Bulk Metallic Glass with Excellent Glass Forming Ability

We report the atomic structure of a multicomponent Cu₄₅Zr₄₅Ag₁₀ bulk metallic glass investigated by state-of-the-art experimental and computational techniques. In comparison with a binary Cu₅₀Zr₅₀ metallic glass, Zr-rich interpenetrating clusters centered by paired and stringed Ag atoms and Cu-rich icosahedra are widely observed in the ternary Cu₄₅Zr₄₅Ag₁₀ alloy. The atomic-scale heterogeneity caused by chemical short- and medium-range order is found to play a key role in stabilizing the liquid phase and in improving the glass forming ability of the multicomponent alloy.