Multiple spin-glass-like (SGL) behaviors have been observed in a ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{60}{\mathrm{Al}}_{10}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{10}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{16}{\mathrm{Fe}}_4$ bulk metallic glass (BMG). Various measurements are carried out to confirm the coexistence of a reentrant-SGL ordering at $14\mathrm{K}$, and two cluster-SGL transitions around $6\mathrm{K}$ and $280\mathrm{K}$. The unusual multiple SGL behaviors are ascribed to the couple between the magnetic nanoclusters and the amorphous matrix. The combination of the intrinsic inhomogeneity, spontaneous nanoconfinement and magnetic completing in the BMG leads to the three qualitatively distinct SGL transitions with unique characteristics such as the elevated freezing temperature close to room temperature in cluster SGL. Comparing with the most spin glass (SG) materials with only one SG phase, the Pr-based BMG with multiple SGL phases provides an ideal prototype to fill up the gap for the unknown interactions between two or more SGs, which is of significance to expand current understanding of both SG and more complex systems.

• Received 19 March 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.064422