A selection of self-diffusivity data concerning both the unrelaxed and relaxed glassy states was presented. On the basis of these observations, a model was developed for the diffusion mechanisms which operated in metallic glasses. It was considerably refined with the aid of what had been gleaned, concerning diffusive atomic displacement mechanisms in metallic glasses, by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, this permitted a straightforward explanation to be given for the very marked diffusion-enhancement behavior of metallic glass under light-ion bombardment. It also permitted the elucidation of diffusion mechanisms in supercooled molten alloys which were just above the glass transition temperature.

W.Frank, U.Hamlescher, H.Kronmüller, P.Scharwächter, T.Schuler: Physica Scripta T, 1996, 66, 201-6