We find that minute trace addition (as low as $0.2\mathrm{at.}\%$) can dramatically enhance glass-forming ability in a simple cerium-based alloy, accompanied by a fragile-to-strong transition and markedly structural and properties changes. The phenomena, which cannot be explained well by often-cited theories and empirical rules for metallic glass formation, are attributed to an increase of the short-range ordering in the alloys. The results provide evidences for the close relation among the liquid fragility, glass-forming ability, and structure in glass-forming alloys and may assist in understanding the long-standing issue on glass formation.

• Received 25 November 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.73.092201