Nanoscale particles embedded in a metallic matrix are of considerable interest as a route towards identifying and tailoring material properties. We present a detailed investigation of the electronic structure, and in particular the Fermi surface, of a nanoscale phase (L12 Al3Li) that has so far been inaccessible with conventional techniques, despite playing a key role in determining the favorable material properties of the alloy (Al\nobreakdash-9 at. %\nobreakdash-Li). The ordered precipitates only form within the stabilizing Al matrix and do not exist in the bulk; here, we take advantage of the strong positron affinity of Li to directly probe the Fermi surface of Al3Li. Through comparison with band structure calculations, we demonstrate that the positron uniquely probes these precipitates, and present a 'tuned' Fermi surface for this elusive phase.
@article{arxiv.1009.2265,
title = {Fermi surface of an important nano-sized metastable phase: Al$_3$Li},
author = {J. Laverock and S. B. Dugdale and M. A. Alam and M. V. Roussenova and J. Wensley and J. Kwiatkowska and N. Shiotani},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1009.2265},
year = {2011}
}