Why is EXAFS analysis for multicomponent metals so hard? Challenges and opportunities for measuring ordering in complex concentrated alloys using x-ray absorption spectroscopy

Abstract: Short range order is a critical driver of properties (e.g. corrosion resistance and tensile strength) in multicomponent alloys such as complex concentrated alloys (CCAs). Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is a powerful technique well suited for quantifying this short range order.Here, we described in detail the characteristics of CCAs that make the already challenging task of analyzing EXAFS data even more difficult. We then illustrate novel paths towards robust and scalable quantitative SRO analysis which will accelerate the scientific understanding and development of CCAs.