Fig. 1

Gradient atomic packing structure in Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ alloys. Correlation matrix of C_ij for atoms classified into six types in the a as-quenched and b annealed Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ alloys. The correlation intensity gradually decreases along the arrows in a. The dashed lines in b map three different regions according to the correlation level with I atoms. c Three clusters are randomly selected from the as-quenched Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ sample. d Snapshot of atomic configuration for a thin slab in the Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ annealed sample. Each atom in c and d is colored according to the classification in Table 1. The white arrows highlight that the “gradient nanostructure” existed in MGs