Factors influencing Stability of Superlattices

Abstract

IN metallic solid solutions atoms of the different elements are usually distributed at random throughout the lattice. In certain cases, however, an ordered distribution, or superlattice occurs. The transformation from order to disorder has received considerable attention because the simplicity of the process renders it susceptible to theoretical interpretation. The entropy change is practically equal to the entropy of mixing, which can be calculated from first principles. The ordered state, which has the lower entropy, will be stable only when its internal energy is lower than that of the disordered configuration.