We present a new phase-separated Zr-based metallic glass (MG) composition, free of toxic elements (Ni and Cu) prepared in a glass-forming system by alloying addition. The substitution of Y in Zr_70-xAl_12.5Fe_17.5Y_x (x = 0–15 at.%) results in phase separation, giving rise to nano-amorphous domains in a glassy matrix. A homogeneous MG feature is observed for low concentrations of Y up to x = 5. Microstructure and thermal property analysis indicate that the glasses with x = 10 and 15 at.% Y exhibit a typical liquid phase separation-induced two-glassy phase (Zr-rich and Y-rich) with droplet-like microstructures (nano-amorphous domains). With increasing Y addition, the domain size increases. The microstructural evolution arising due to phase separation in these alloys is confirmed by a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) analysis. The formation of nanometer-size Y-enriched clusters is confirmed by APT for x = 15.

The laser-assisted field evaporation of oxides by deep UV (257.5 nm wavelength, 4.8 eV photon energy) and UV (355 nm, 3.5 eV) laser light was investigated by measuring the detection rate as a function of laser pulse energy. The experimental approach, where the voltage and hence the electrostatic field are held constant, was performed on the metallic alloy Ni-20Cr as well as chromia and SrTiO 3 . The detection rate was recorded as a function of laser pulse energy as well as field estimates. The experiments confirm evaporation being facilitated by a thermal pulse via the laser for the metallic alloy, thereby validating the strategy. For oxides, the relation did not follow an Arrhenius law expected for a temperature pulse. Instead, the measurements closely followed an expression of the form A x 1 + B x 2 2 exp { − C x 2 } , where x 1 = E Laser and x 2 = ( T 0 + k E Laser ) with A , B , C , and k being constants, T 0 the base temperature, and E Laser the laser pulse energy. Hence, we propose that the evaporation mechanism involves a reduction of the energy barrier through accumulation of charge carrier holes at the apex. Hole generation occurs via photoionization and photoinduced tunneling of electrons. Investigations with a variation of the electrostatic field during evaporation of chromia underline the proposed mechanisms. Previously unexplained laser-assisted field evaporation of MgO, Fe 3 O 4 , and GaN in atom probe experiments with UV laser light fits with the new observations. Further theoretical and experimental research is needed to confirm or refute the proposed mechanism.