Amorphization in the Ni-Nb system upon ion-beam-assisted deposition

The amorphization of Ni-Nb multilayered alloy films was studied by Ar+ ion- beam-assisted deposition (IBAD). The Ar+ ion energies were from 2 to 8 keV. Some amorphous alloys were obtained in the experiment and the nominal comp osition range favoring amorphization was determined to be 20-80 at.% Ni. A new hcp phase was formed in the Ni80Nb20 films by MAD with 8 keV Ar+ ion en ergy. The Nb-rich solid solution with fcc structure was also obtained in so me samples. The evolution of phase structure is interpreted by kinetics of the far from equilibrium process.