A neutron diffraction study on the structure of liquid germanium

The static structure factor S(k) and pair distribution function g(r) of liquid germanium at 1000 degrees C were measured using neutron diffraction. A wider k-range was covered that in previous diffraction experiments on liquid Ge and particular attention was given to the data analysis procedure used to extra S(k) from the measured intensities. The g(r) has a first peak at 2.66+or-0.02 AA and gives an averaged coordination number of 5.6. The results are discussed with reference to the previous diffraction studies on liquid Ge and systematic differences between the neutron and X-ray results are observed.