Evidence for a liquid liquid phase transition in metallic fluids observed by electrostatic levitation

Measurements of liquid metallic systems show a clear indication of hysteretic behaviour of their volume vs. temperature. The highly precise measurements are done in an electrostatic levitator with optical control of the volume and laser heating. The results are discussed in terms of a liquid liquid phase transition scenario and compared to other liquid systems. (C) 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.