Effect of magnetic order on nucleation in undercooled Co ₈₀Pd₂₀ melts

Co₈₀Pd₂₀ melts have been undercooled below Curie temperature of the liquids (T_C^L) by employing the method of molten glass denucleation combined with cyclic superheating. The largest undercooling achieved is 465 K, which indicates that the nucleation temperature is below T_C^L more than 100 K and then the ferromagnetic liquid is obtained. The nucleation behavior is analyzed using the classical nucleation theory extended by magnetic contributions to the Gibbs free energy. The results reveal that the onset of magnetic order facilitates rather than stimulates nucleation. Consequently, Co₈₀Pd₂₀ melts can be undercooled below T_C^L.