Short-range order and diffuse scattering in a Al-Co-Cr-Cu-Fe-Ni high entropy alloy: an atomic-resolution holography investigation

High-entropy alloy solid solutions are known to be stabilized by their large configurational entropy, contrary to intermetallic alloys. In order to verify the randomness of the atomic occupancy in the crystal structure, several techniques were employed in literature. It is well demonstrated by now that high entropy alloys show lattice distortions and short-range ordering. Short to medium range scale correlated disorder can be probed by diffuse scattering from electron, X-ray and neutrons. Here lies the main focus of this experiment: using atomic resolution holography, we aim to correlate the X-ray and Neutron diffuse scattering, already observed in a Al-Co-Cr-Cu-Fe-Ni alloy single crystal, to nearest neighbors atomic preferences through element-selective 3D real space reconstructions. We have already established the excellent performance of BM02 for measuring holograms of HEA’s in a previous beamtime, and plan to complete our data now.