Thermal diffusivities and molar volumes of ternary Al20 AsxTe80−x alloy glasses: evidence of self-organization

Thermal diffusivities (α) and molar volumes (Vm) of bulk Al20AsxTe80−x alloy glasses in the composition range 0≤x≤35 are examined. The results reveal a broad maximum in alpha and a broad minimum in Vm in the 15<x<25 range. Earlier temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetric measurements on these glasses have revealed the non-reversing heat flow to show a global minimum (reversibility window) in the same composition range. Taken together these results suggest that present glasses in the 15<x<25 range are self-organized. The thermal diffusivity maximum observed near x=20 is consistent with a minimal scattering of thermal waves in the homogeneous and stress-free glass composition residing in the center of the self-organized phase.