kõrgeentropia

Kõrgeentropia refers to a state of matter characterized by a very high degree of disorder and randomness at the atomic or molecular level. This concept is often encountered in condensed matter physics, particularly in the study of materials science. Unlike traditional crystalline solids, which possess a highly ordered, repeating lattice structure, high-entropy materials exhibit a disordered arrangement of constituent atoms or ions. This can occur in alloys where multiple elements are mixed in nearly equal atomic proportions, leading to a single, disordered solid solution phase.

The term "high entropy" arises from thermodynamics, where entropy is a measure of disorder. In these materials, the configurational entropy, which arises from the random distribution of different atomic species on lattice sites, is significantly elevated. This high entropy can stabilize phases that would otherwise be unstable, such as solid solutions where the constituent elements would typically form distinct intermetallic compounds.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a prominent example. They are typically composed of five or more principal elements in roughly equal atomic percentages. The resulting materials often exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, including high strength, hardness, and ductility, as well as good corrosion and oxidation resistance. These unique properties stem from the complex interplay of compositional disorder, lattice strain, and reduced diffusion rates within the material. Applications for high-entropy materials are being explored in areas such as aerospace, energy, and structural components where extreme performance is required.