Modelling the phase diagram of transition metal alloys by the embedded atom method

The embedded atom method (EAM) is a simple yet powerful model for the potential energy of ordered and disordered transition metal systems. We demonstrate its versatility and reliability by a simulation study of the phase diagram for CuxPd1−x as a function of concentration x and temperature. We discuss the limitations of the present method, and we outline a few directions for improvements of the basic model.