MEASUREMENTS OF 3D OCCUPANCY FROM CU L(2,3) ELECTRON-ENERGY-LOSS SPECTRA OF RAPIDLY QUENCHED CUZR, CUTI, CUPD, CUPT, AND CUAU

We used electron-energy-loss spectrometry to measure the intensities o f the Cu white lines found at the onsets of the L(2), and L(3) absorpt ion edges of rapidly quenched CuZr, CuTi, CuPd, CuPt, and CuAu. Enhanc ements of the white lines in the alloys as compared to elemental Cu we re correlated with changes in the 3d occupancy of Cu atoms upon alloyi ng. We found that the Cu atoms lost 0.2+/-0.06 d electrons when alloye d with Ti or Zr, 0.0(-00)(+0.06)6 d electrons when alloyed with Au or Pd, and 0.03(-0.03)(+0.06) electrons when alloyed with Pt. We found no strong correlation between measured 3d- occupancy changes and heats o f formation of the alloys, consistent with expectations that outer s e lectrons play an important role in the alloying of Cu with Pt, Pd, and Au.