Cluster probabilities in binary alloys from diffraction data

(Received 13 May 1992, accepted 15 May 1992)

Abstract
A method is proposed which permits us to calculate, - from diffuse scattering data -, the probabilities for various clusters of atoms to appear in substitutional disordered alloys. It leads to simple, Taylor-like expressions for these probabilities in terms of experimentally measured short-range order parameters. Explicit calculations are performed for two clusters, nearest-neighbour triangle and tetrahedron, on the face-centered cubic lattice. The results obtained agree well with those of other approaches. The applicability of the Kirkwood superposition approximation to alloys is discussed.