Entropy and diffuse scattering: comparison of NbTiVZr and CrMoNbV

The chemical disorder intrinsic to high entropy alloys inevitably creates diffuse scattering in their x-ray or neutron diffraction patterns. Through first principles hybrid Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics simulations of two BCC high entropy alloy forming compounds, CrMoNbV and NbTiVZr, we identify the contributions of chemical disorder, atomic size and thermal fluctuations to the diffuse scattering. As a side benefit, we evaluate the reduction in entropy due to pair correlations within the framework of the cluster variation method. Finally, we note that the preference of Ti and Zr for HCP structures at low temperature leads to a mechanical instability reducing the local BCC character of NbTiVZr, while preserving global BCC symmetry.Comment: Submitted to Met Mat Trans A: TMS Symposium on High Entropy Alloys (2015

Shapes and textures of ferromagnetic liquid droplets

Theoretical calculations, computer simulations and experiments indicate the possible existence of a ferromagnetic liquid state. Should such a state exist, demagnetization effects would force a nontrivial magnetization texture governed by the shape of the liquid droplet. Since liquid droplets are deformable, the droplet shape couples to the magnetization texture. This paper solves the joint shape/texture problem subject to the assumption of cylindrical droplet symmetry. The shape undergoes a change in topology from spherical to toroidal as exchange energy grows or surface tension decreases.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Brazilian Journal of Physic