Investigation of the strain evolution of a CuZrAl metallic glass (MG) was conducted through creep deformation encompassing various temperature and stress conditions. The fundamental framework of atomic motion was established through hierarchically dynamic correlation. By discerning a transition in strain rate from three to two regions under cyclic loading conditions, we effectively identified the two underlying mechanisms of creep. The initial deformation mechanism is associated with τ-defects (shear microdomains, SMDs) characterized by a high degree of atomic correlation. This mechanism entails both reversible deformation within a short temporal span and irreversible deformation over an extended duration. Remarkably, the atomic correlation of SMDs remains nearly unaffected by variations in stress and temperature. Furthermore, a fundamental intrinsic correlation emerges between the atomic correlation of SMDs and the defect concentration as ascertained through the framework of quasi-point defect (QPD) theory. The second deformation mechanism entails irreversible deformation attributed to structural relaxation, exhibiting a relatively diminished atomic correlation. In this mechanism, the correlation of atomic motion exhibits a decline with rising temperatures, while remaining relatively less influenced by mechanical effects. Meanwhile, after annealing treatment, the deformation strength associated with structural relaxation significantly decreases. Our study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of creep in MGs, compensates for the shortcomings of QPD theory in describing long-term creep and provides insights into the fundamental atomic-scale processes governing the mechanical behavior of MGs.

中文翻译：

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量化金属玻璃蠕变中分层相关剪切微域的贡献

通过不同温度和应力条件下的蠕变变形，研究了 CuZrAl 金属玻璃 (MG) 的应变演化。原子运动的基本框架是通过层次动态关联建立的。通过识别循环载荷条件下应变率从三个区域到两个区域的转变，我们有效地识别了蠕变的两种潜在机制。初始变形机制与 τ 缺陷（剪切微域，SMD）相关，其特征是高度的原子相关性。这种机制既需要短时间内发生可逆变形，又需要长时间内发生不可逆变形。值得注意的是，SMD 的原子相关性几乎不受应力和温度变化的影响。此外，通过准点缺陷 (QPD) 理论框架确定，SMD 的原子相关性与缺陷浓度之间存在基本的内在相关性。第二种变形机制需要归因于结构弛豫的不可逆变形，表现出相对减弱的原子相关性。在这种机制中，原子运动的相关性随着温度的升高而下降，同时受机械效应的影响相对较小。同时，退火处理后，与结构松弛相关的变形强度显着降低。我们的研究揭示了 MG 蠕变的基本机制，弥补了 QPD 理论在描述长期蠕变方面的缺陷，并提供了对控制 MG 机械行为的基本原子尺度过程的见解。