Microstructures of CuZr phases formed by laser surface treatment

Abstract Pulsed laser irradiation of thin copper deposits sputtered onto polycrystalline zirconium sheet produces a variety of near-surface phases, as shown by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The most prominent phases are amorphous CuZr alloys of various compositions, including those which are richer in zirconium than achievable by splat quenching, and a copper-free zirconium glass stabilized by oxygen. Thermal annealing of the irradiated samples in the temperature range 200–700 °C leads to the formation of crystalline ZrO 2 , CuZr 2 and Cu 46 Zr 54 as a result of devitrification of the metastable glasses.