Low-temperature specific-heat anomalies associated with the boson peak in CuZr-based bulk metallic glasses

Abstract

We report the pronounced low-temperature specific-heat C-p anomalies associated with the boson peak in the new CuZr-based bulk metallic glasses. The origin of the C-p anomalies in the atomic glasses is interpreted with the harmonic localized mode based on the dense-packed atomic clusters structural model of metallic glass. The results might have important implications for understanding the origin of the boson peak and the structural features of metallic glasses.