Finding order in disorder: Magnetic coupling distributions and competing anisotropies in an amorphous metal alloy

Amorphous metals have unusual magnetic properties that arise due to the disordered atomic arrangement. We show Co x (Al 70 Zr 30 ) 100? (65 < 92 at. %) amorphous alloys a distribution in local coupling and ordering temperature, which can be explained by nanoscale composition variations. use competing anisotropies induced substrate an applied field during growth probe concentration distribution. Only regions with high enough develop anisotropy along growth, whereas of low dictated substrate. A Gaussian width 5.1 % is obtained from variation anisotropy. The results demonstrate importance variations for emergent far reaching implications materials general.