Surface solidification in liquid Ga‐Tl alloys

Abstract

A surface solidification transition in Ga‐rich Ga‐Tl alloys is observed employing spectroscopic and single wavelength kinetic ellipsometry. This transition occurs a few Kelvin above the liquidus line extending from the eutectic to the monotectic point. Between the respective temperatures (Teut=29.70 °C, Tmono=287 °C) solid Tl undergoes its α‐β‐transition in the alloy at a metatectic temperature of 223 °C. In this brief communication the peculiarities of the solid surface film formation associated with this α‐β‐transition is reported. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)